Kurt Browning

One of Canada's greatest male figure skaters, Kurt Browning became an international favorite who long dominated the World Championships. Born June 18, 1966 in Rocky Mountain House, Alberta, Canada, Kurt Browning began skating at the age of three on a small rink his father built for him. Originally intending to become a hockey player like all good Canadian boys, Browning displayed so much innate talent as a figure skater and choreographer that he switched disciplines, quickly rising through the ranks.

After finishing second in the 1987 and 1988 Canadian Championships and eighth in the 1988 Olympics, Browning made history at that year's World Championships when he became the first skater to land a ratified quadruple jump in competition. The following year proved to be his breakthrough, however, when he won the Canadian Championships as well as the World Championships, a double-barreled feat he would repeat in 1990, 1991 and 1993.

His Olympic showings never revealed his full potential, unfortunately, and he went on to notch a sixth-place finish in 1992 and a fifth-place finish in 1994. Universally acclaimed for his lightning-quick footwork and exuberant charisma, Browning was memorably involved in figure skating "rivalries" with such competitors as America's Brian Boitano and fellow Canuck Elvis Stojko, which carried over into the professional arena as well.

Achieving national hero status, Browning lensed a series of screen appearances, including starring as the titular Disney prince in "Aladdin on Ice" (CBS, 1995) as well as hosting "Battle of the Blades" (CBC, 2009-2011).

By Jonathan Riggs