Kurt Browning (CAN) - 1994 Lillehammer, Figure Skating, Men's Free Skate

Hamar, NORWAY - 1994 Winter Games, Figure Skating, Men's Free Skate - Kurt Browning of Canada was able to put aside his poor showing in the Technical Program performance to skate a wonderful program, placing 3rd here. He would move up from 12th all the way to 5th Place overall.

[@Tonichelle]

Always love that doubled triple axel at the end where he just does the facepalm as he lands. I don't care that he didn't medal here, he's more than a champion. Best Skater EVER.

[@michaelwright2899]

Tonichelle you are so right. Best combination of technique and artistry ever!

[@furiouskitties4079]

Kurt said recently in an interview that he met up with Scott Hamilton just before this performance and told him that he would dedicate the last jump to him (this was mostly just for Kurt to keep his nerves down, telling himself he HAD to land it now that he made a promise). At 5:22, you can see him point to someone in the stands after landing the last jump in the combination. That person was Scott, and story goes his face lit up when Kurt pointed him out. Just an interesting story

[@swangonzalez4797]

This might be the most artistic and technical program ever made. It's just moving to watch despite the failed jumps. Kurt was expressing himself like no other skater has in history. It was more than a program. It was always a performance. This could have won him the olympics. But sadly it seems to have been a cursed program, never meant to be performed in it's perfection. It suffered the same mishaps even during the Canadian finals. Perhaps Kurt was a bit passed his prime at that point. He seemed more consistent with his jumps a few years before Casablanca. In true form to the movie Casablanca, Bogie didn't get the girl in the end. Kurt didn't get the medal. But it was a heroic ending whichever way you see it. The performance just oozes with bravado and masculinity. So sad it was never performed as it was intended. Still my favorite program of all time. My favorite skater of all time. He had this magic in him. He could really move an audience.

[@nomiddlenamenmn427]

Great footwork. He and Alexei Yagudin were masters at it. Jumps are great, but spins and footwork make the sport to my eyes.

[@fabianfilipponi7599]

Que hermosa forma de patinar. Que elegante, el desplazamiento, los giros, las figuras.

[@dashoverton1963]

That triple Salchow triple loop out of a spread eagle. Wow!

[@alexsdb9712]

Then and now, I gave this performance 5.7 T, 6.0 A. He WAS Bogart. Kurt Browning not only gave another great performance, but even more considering his trials and devestation at these Olympic Games. But even then, he did win something of another form - this was his last skate in the amateurs, and what a way to do it!

[@fabianfilipponi7599]

Que hermosa rutina

[@manoelguedesneto8813]

"inundated with faxes from Canada..." sounds like a different world.

[@lindsayhengehold5341]

❤

[@dashoverton1963]

His costume looks like a waiter’s uniform.

[@biatch1966]

Him and Chouinard both choked at Olympics. Was so disappointed back then as they both had the 100% package but nerves got the best of them both.

[@theresabollman8061]

USA again being better to Kurt than Canada is to USA...why do we do it? I guess we just try to be treated as we wish to be treated.

[@wecv670]

this is a beautiful program , but waay overrated in my opinion ... personally I viewed kurt as a crowd pleaser and entertainer , but not that much of technician , or even artistic skater ... just my opinion though

[@brookebalson1078]

It's amazing what this man can do on skates! Absolutely brilliant!

[@jenniferh189]

I miss this era of figure skating. Very program-centered.

[@valerieteti1755]

Me too 😥

[@Warren_Flatt]

this program was the best LP of the night. he didn't do that many triple jumps and he popped the 2nd triple axel but he made sure the entry into all his jumps were at a high degree of difficulty....spread eagle into a triple salchow, triple loop combination ..that's crazy, not too many skaters today can do that. best program of the night and my favourite kurt browning skate ever.

[@maria_haarajoki]

I have to disagree. Have you ever seen Stojko and Philippe Candeloro...?

[@Warren_Flatt]

@@maria_haarajoki I have and I would still place Kurt's LP over them. As a figure skating fan for many years I wouldn't just watch Kurt (who was way before the last flight) and turn off the tv. Elvis got robbed. Candeloro had guts trying a triple axel at the end of the program but Kurt had the best program imo. thanks.

[@KkBbomb]

One of the best skaters to have never won an Olympic Gold.

[@dashoverton1963]

Just like Michelle Kwan.

[@aldwinera6304]

Makes me cry every single time.

[@sheriffburfordt.justice4488]

He was amazing. I remember I saw him at an exhibition in the 90s. Tonya Harding was at that one too. They were the 2 skaters who impressed me above all others. The have the same qualities about their jumps. They just hang in the air. You hold your breath waiting for them to come down.

[@L.Spencer]

So he dedicated his last jump to Scott Hamilton and pointed to him in the commentators booth.

[@koolaidnhemlock]

the best footwork!

[@slater4cc]

My favorite--split jump triple toe loop!

[@Schmoityface]

Brilliant program, wonderful skater, a victim of Olympic nerves :(

[@carollawrie2414]

he was a victim of himself thinking he knew what was best :)

[@lorcagonzalez]

So beautiful!

[@fitgraphisva]

Was this choreographed by Sandra Bezic? If so, she did an amazing job of quieting Kurt when the music needed him to be subtle, then letting him fly with his footwork at other times. What a fantastically skated program.

[@lorcagonzalez]

fitgraphisva It was! What I find amazing is that at one point he was considered a "jumper" while now he is considered an "artist". He is still my favourite skater!

[@openroad8888]

the programs were much simpler than today's with all the transitions of a Patrick Chan.

[@carlenamoss8955]

true, a little different from today, but full of such style and emotion!