Kurt Browning's here to kick start Christmas

Although Kurt Browning first joined the Stars on Ice team almost 25 years ago, the Canadian figure skating legend didn't officially turn professional until 1994, carefully juggling competition and exhibition skating for three years.

"At the time I transitioned over to professional skating, it was a very, very busy time in our sport," Browning told SooToday.com. "I basically left home because I was on the road so much and the learning curve was very quick."

He credits Stars on Ice founder Scott Hamilton with guiding him through that trying transition period.

"It was fun, but I was stuck in between trying to compete but also trying to do a show, and in the beginning I was not good at doing both at the same time," he explained.

"I managed to relax into it a bit more. When you watch skaters compete at the World Championships or the Olympics, it's their whole lives - everything that they've put into it and family support and the nerves - the pressure is just unbelievable. I had to learn to let go of that and not let everything be important because I was at too many events. I had to learn to spread those nerves out. It's 25 years later and I'm still learning."

And while both competition and professional skating have their challenges and advantages, Browning says they're two completely different mindsets.

"In competition, you're way more selfish. You're also skating so close to the edge of your ability and taking risks," he said. "In an exhibition skate like Holiday Festival On Ice, all skaters whether they're still competing or a veteran like myself, shift the priority to the people. You wouldn't try the hardest jump possible. You'll include a jump that's more consistent for you so you can provide a better show for the people. Priority shifts from you to the audience."

Browning is no stranger risk.

According to his website, four times he found himself visiting the hospital after impaling his foot on his skate while attempting the triple lutz  and he injured his shoulder practicing his backflip.

On a more successful note, Browning is listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the first male skater to successfully land a quadruple jump (toe loop) in competition.

Oddly enough, this amazing feat took place during the 1988 World Championships in Budapest, Hungary where Browning failed to medal, but finished 6th overall.

Following this he would go on to win three consecutive gold medals at the World Championships, the first Canadian to do so.

Now, as a four-time Canadian Champion, four-time World Champion, and inductee into both the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame and Canada's Figure Skating Hall of Fame, Browning has spent the last number of years behind the mic as a CBC colour commentator during major skating events.

Kurt Browning is in Sault Ste. Marie tonight as part of the Holiday Festival On Ice taking place at the Essar Centre at 7 p.m.

Joining him on the ice are a number of other renowned skaters, including Jeffery Buttle, Patrick Chan, Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir, Shawn Sawyer and Kimmie Meissner.

"We're here to kick start Christmas for a lot of people, and it's a chance to see world-class skating right in front of you," Browning said.

"It's a holiday tradition for us and this group of skaters. We get together with our skating family, Jeffery [Buttle] always puts together a fun show for us to enjoy each other's company, and we invite some friends… the audience."

For more information about Holiday Festival On Ice at the Essar Centre, please click here.

Photo: Kurt Browning at the Essar Centre in 2012 for Celebration On Ice. Donna Hopper/SooToday.com