Kurt Browning

Born in Rocky Mountain House, Alberta and raised in Caroline, Alberta, Browning was a four-time Canadian figure skating champion and four-time World Champion.  He represented Canada in three Winter Olympics, 1988 (finishing 8th overall), 1992 (6th), and 1994 (5th), and was given the privilege of carrying the Canadian flag during the opening ceremonies of the 1994 games in Lillehammer, Norway.  Browning’s other achievements are numerous, including three Canadian Professional Championships, three World Professional Championships, a Lou Marsh Trophy for top Canadian Athlete (in 1990), Lionel Conacher Award winner (1990 and 1991), Order of Canada recipient (in 1990), an American Skating World Professional Skater of the year Award (in 1998), and a Gustav Lussi Award from the Professional Figure Skaters’ Association (in 2001).  The only trophy that he never won was an Olympic medal.  He is also known as Wayne Gretzky of figure skating due to his achievements contributions to the sport and popularity in Canada.

His energy and talent are welcomed by his fans, and embraced by his fellow skaters.  An absolute craftsman on skates, Kurt’s natural humor and rapport with the audience will always be an obvious highlight of his performance.

Kurt appeared in the 2006 FOX television program Skating with Celebrities, and was most recently found in many Canadian homes as the co-host of CBC’s Battle of the Blades.

He is now living in Toronto with his wife Sonia Rodriguez, who is a principal dancer with The National Ballet of Canada, and their two sons Gabriel and Dillon.

Kurt has been a part of Canadian Stars on Ice since it began in 1991!

Kurt Browning - Accomplishments

• Guinness World Record holder for the landing the first ever quadruple jump at the 1988 Olympics in Budapest Hungary – March 25th 1988
• Three-time Olympian: 1988 (placed 8th), 1992 (placed 6th), 1994 (placed 5th)
• Received the Lou Marsh Trophy – 1990
• Inducted into the Canada's Sports Hall of Fame – 1994
• Inducted into the Canada's Figure Skating Hall of Fame – 2000
• Honored with a star on Canada’s Walk of Fame - 2001
• Four-time Canadian champion
• Four-time world champion

Kurt Browning  - Competitive Results

Q & A with Kurt Browning

What is the most rewarding part of figure skating?
The most rewarding aspect of figure skating changes from day to day, year to year, and in my case decade to decade.  As a kid it was having fun with the other kids, then it was jumping… loved jumping!  As a young man it was winning and then the power of the touring show with the fans, friends and good income.  Now I still enjoy the jumps when they work and love the shows and my amazing skating friends but these days I am appreciating more and more a simple, great gliding edge.  

What’s your next career move? Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
I laugh at the thought that I would still be doing shows in 5 years, but never say never??  I do hope that I am still present in the world of figure skating as a commentator.  Working television allows me to be a part of the sport in a big and hopefully positive way.  I also get the chance to stay in touch with the next great generation after generation of great skaters.  That is an amazing gift.

What are the top 5 songs on your iPod?
Well, my new solo Steppin’ Out is the most played song on my iPod, but I do not think that is what you meant.

In no particular order...

• Bedouin Soundclash, When The Night Feels My Song
• Supertramp, Even In The Quietest Moments
  Doors, Roadhouse Blues (Crystal Remix )
• Kings Of Leon, Back Down South
• Adam Cohen, Take This Waltz (Toma Este Waltz) - Album is called “War Child Presents Heroes” and he is not related to Sasha Cohen ( fyi )

What is your favourite meal to cook?
Anything at all and that my kids will eat.  Smuckers Peanut Butter and Jam saves the day sometimes... seriously!

What is your favourite Stars on Ice memory?
No Way... I will never tell.

What has been your favourite country to visit and why?
Italy has to be up there, so much history and so much great food.  

How do you spend your time when you aren’t on the road?
I try to stay in shape on the ice and if I am lucky there is some golf in there somewhere but mostly... mostly with my lady and our boys.

Most memorable career moment?
The quad was cool but winning worlds in my home country was a total blast.  I felt like a rock star and my whole family and as many friends as could afford the trip were there in Halifax to see it.  It was wonderful to defend my title, barely, and share it with my home country and also to win the last worlds with figures still involved in the event was a personal goal of mine.

Will you put your kids into figure skating? 
My oldest son takes lessons but at a very casual pace.  

If you could compete in an Olympic sport other then figure skating, what would it be and why?
Women’s Beach Volleyball.  A guy can dream can’t he?

Who is your idol?
Green Lantern…he is a fair and honest man who lives without fear.  

If you could have dinner with one person, who would it be and why?
I think I have answered this question a few times before and I change it up depending on my mood, but I will go with my Grandfather on my father’s side.  He passed away before I was born and by the stories I have heard about him, well I think we would have got along pretty well.  I think the dinner would have to be over a campfire with a little fiddle and harmonica playing afterwards.

If you could be an animal for one day, what would it be and why?
OK, I feel like I am playing one of those games designed to get people to either get to know each other better or start fighting... deep questions.

I would be a bird so I could walk around on the ground all day and almost get stepped on a bunch of times and eat scraps... wait a minute?  A bird yes, but maybe not a pigeon.

If you could eat only one food for the rest of your life what would it be and why?
What the heck could you eat the same every day for the rest of your life and stay healthy???  But moving past that, I am sure I could eat ice cream quite a few days in a row before I got tired of it.  Um, is ice cream food?