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Links for Amateur Years:
Early Years |
1986/87 | 1987/88 | 1988/89 | 1989/90 |
1990/91 | 1991/92 | 1992/93 | 1993/94 |
Back to Memory Lane
1987/88 Competitive Season
Placement at International Competitions:
- 1987 St. Ivel - 2nd
- 1987 Skate Canada - 4th
- 1988 Canadians - 2nd
- 1988 Olympics - 8th
- 1988 Worlds - 6th
1987/88 Competitive Programs and Exhibition Debuts:
- Short Program: Tequila - Red sequined unitard. Featured a 3axel/2 loop combination, 2flip and mandatory 2axel
- Long Program: Grand Canyon Suite - Black sequined unitard. This program, choreographed by Sandra Bezic, included a quad, 3axel, 3sal/2loop combo, 3loop, 3toe/3toe combo, 3 flip, 2axel turn 2axel sequence, russian split turn 3sal sequence, and a 2 loop.
In the Fall of 1987, Kurt and 3 of his buddies moved into a house which came to be known as "Skid Row". The name "Skid Row" is a combination of the first letter of each of their names: Sunil Vaidya, Ian Ball, Kurt, and Dillip Koshy. Almost 10 years later, on June 30, 1996, Sunil stood with Kurt as he married Sonia Rodriguez.
At Skate Canada in October 1987, Kurt attempted his quad for the first time in a competition. Although he didn't land it, he did land 7 triples, placing 3rd in the Freeskate behind Orser & Boitano and 4th overall (Petrenko took the Bronze).
At Canadians in February 1988, Kurt flubbed a little on his triple axel, so he didn't attempt the quad. He placed 2nd to Brian Orser for the 2nd year in a row and, more importantly, made the 1988 Olympic Team.
His 2nd quad attempt (in competition) came at the 1988 Olympics in Calgary, Alberta. Again, he missed the quad, but he landed 7 triples and placed 6th in the Freeskate and 8th overall. He received a tremendous standing ovation for both his short and long programs.
His 3rd quad attempt (in competition) came at 1988 Worlds in Budapest, Hungary. Not only did he land the quad this time, but he landed 7 other triples (3 axel, 3 sal/2loop combo, 3 loop, 3toe/3toe combo, 3 flip, Russian Split/3 sal sequence). He placed 3rd in the Freeskate behind Orser and Boitano and placed 6th overall. Now the World stood up and took notice to Kurt Browning.
Because of his performance at Worlds, Kurt was asked to join the ISU 15-city tour of Europe. When he finally arrived home for the first time in late Spring of 1988, he was presented with an Alberta license place that read "1stQUAD".
After a brief visit home, Kurt joined the Tom Collins Tour, starting in San Francisco. It was during this time Tom Collins managed to alienate Kurt forever. The story goes ... Tom accused Kurt of trying to run the tour and said he demanded an outrageous sum of money. Kurt's beef with Collins was not the amount of money he was being paid. Kurt's issues were needing to have 1/2 the tour off because of previous personal obligations and proof of sufficient insurance to protect Kurt if he sustained an injury while performing on the tour. Tom Collins was quoted as saying, "If you think Browning is going to help me sell one #%&! ticket in the United States, you're crazy." ... hmmm ... I'd have to say Mr. Collins is eating his words ;-) Lucky for Stars on Ice, eh?
Quotes about Kurt:
1987 Skate Canada by Johnny Esaw: "Don't be surprised if he winds up throwing a quadruple into this one before it's all over. This young man is an outstanding skater and a tremendous prospect. 15th in the World, but destined to go much, much higher."
1987 Skate Canada by Johnny Esaw: "Watch his face! This kid has one of the most wonderful personalities you'd ever want."
1987 St. Ivel by un-recognized Brittish commentator: "This young man is going to be wowwing us well after Brian Orser leaves. Could be on his way up to a World Championship medal himself."
1988 Canadians by Brian Pokar: "I'm proud to say this young man has proven me wrong when I said it's a dangerous situation in the depth in Senior Mens (figure skating) ... because here is a guy with alot of potential."
1988 Olympics by unrecognized male commentator for TSN: "This is the start of something BIG, isn't it?"
1988 Worlds by Toller Cranston: "With the most international and renowned skaters, one thing that always comes across is the personality. It hits you right between the eyes ... and he's got it."
1988 Worlds by Toller Cranson: Kurt is the exponent of a new breed of skating of which there are very few, but they are the super athletes and also athletes with great personalities."
1988 Worlds by Scott Hamilton (just after Kurt lands quad): "Incredible! A landed quadruple jump in competition! You just witnessed history .... When Josef Sabovcik did his quad at the Europeans in Copenhagen, he forgot how to skate afterwards, but Kurt's here to make a name for himself, not only make history, but set himself up for the future."
1988 Worlds by Scott Hamilton (after triple axel, triple loop & 3 toe/3toe combination): "This kid is HOT! ..... This guy's a gift of nature! .... He's doing everything that's so difficult and making it look easy"
1988 Worlds by Scott Hamilton (after Freeskate): "What a great moment. Not only did he land the quad, but he backed it up with a terrific performance. He's made his statement here. He's well on his way. He's going to be a force to be recognized in the future."
Quotes from Kurt:
1988 Canadians (Kurt to camera after SP): "Hi SKID Row."
1988 Worlds (CBS Profile on Kurt): "The quad to me is a great opportunity to not have to hold anything back ... it's alot of fun."
1988 Worlds (after Ted Green comments on the content of his LP after the quad): Kurt - "It just seemed to roll after that. The ball just kept bouncing, and the audience just went crazy ... and everywhere I looked, there was red and white. The audience just took me through the rest of the program, which was good because half my concentration was gone!"
1988 Worlds (same interview): Ted Green to Kurt, "Well, you thrilled the whole works of us ... goodness knows what's in front of you, Kurt." ... Kurt to Ted, "It's only going to get better."
Did you know?
- The 1988 Tom Collins Tour was not Kurt's first tour? He performed in Nicky Slater's Show Tour of England and Ireland with Wilson & McCall in December 1987.
- After his Freeskate warmup at the 1988 Olympics, Kurt slipped away under the stands and stripped down to his jockstrap while Coach Jiranek and Asst. Team Leader Rosemary Marks slapped wet towels all over his body in an effort to relieve Kurt of the overwhelmingly warm conditions in the Saddledome! Little did the audience in the stands just above him realize what was going on below!
- Kurt somehow "whacked" his knee at the end of his Freeskate at the 1988 Olympics? When he came off the ice, there was blood everywhere, and he didn't remember how it happend!
- On March 25, 1988, Kurt landed the first quad in competition at Worlds in Budapest ... Exactly 10 years later, on March 25, 1998, Kurt landed a quad at a Stars on Ice show in Ft. Wayne, Indiana!
- A bar in Caroline named a drink after Kurt, the "Quad Shooter". It's made up of 4 different shots of liquor ... Triple Sect, Baileys, Amaretto and Creme de Mint. Sorry for any misspellings!
Go To 1988/89
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