In the Spotlight

2006 is a special year for Canada's Kurt Browning. One of figure skating's most recognizable names, Browning, 39, is being inducted into the World Skating Hall of Fame in March. A four-time world champion and three-time Olympic athlete, Browning is also a professional performer, choreographer and commentator. Now he can add "author" to his list of accomplishments with A is for Axel: An Ice Skating Alphabet, published by Sleeping Bear Press.

Married for 10 years to ballet dancer Sonia Rodriguez, the Brownings are parents to two-year-old Gabriel. Browning talked to Sleeping Bear about his book, his career and his view toward children and sports.

Sleeping Bear: How did you get involved in A is for Axel?

Browning: Actually, the phone rang and the question on the other end from my agent was, "Would you like to write an alphabet book for kids about figure skating?" This question took me about two seconds to answer "yes." I was told later that Sleeping Bear Press was interested in publishing this book and was very interested in having me as an author. I am certainly glad they considered using an athlete and that my name came up as Sleeping Bear considered an author.

Sleeping Bear: What books inspired you as a child?

Browning: The book I remember is about a lion who gave away all of his fur to his bird friends to make their nests, but then when people came to the zoo they laughed at the lion because he had no fur. All the birds helped whip together what was kind of like a nest on his head. The lion appreciated this very much and he wore what his friends had made until his own hair grew back. (I could use some of those birds now.) I also loved Peter Rabbit, because my mom could imitate the character's voices when she read to me. Now, with my own two-year-old, I love whatever book he loves. I hope he likes mine.

Sleeping Bear: Was it challenging to come up with the rhymes in A is for Axel?

Browning: I have always thought that I have a bit of a gift with words and so I also thought it would be somewhat easy to do these four- or eight-line poems — I was wrong. Sometimes I could walk along and find the words in my head, but most times I worked with pieces of paper all over my desk with ideas jotted down that were half done. I cheered out loud when I found the right combination for each letter. My wife, Sonia, would help me on long drives; her idea of poetry is much stricter than mine. She kept me honest.

Sleeping Bear: If your son wants to go into professional sports, will you encourage him?

Browning: Most athletes say they want their children to do something different. I believe that it is because we know too much about our own sport. We know the good, but we certainly know the bad as well. I know how hard success is in figure skating and will follow him where he wants to go but like I said when you know too much about something, you have almost too much respect for it. If my parents had known what was ahead, I am sure they would not have been able to relax and enjoy the ride as much.

Sleeping Bear: Do you believe kids are under a lot of pressure to excel in sports?

Browning: Hey, pressure makes diamonds. I believe in a little pressure. Life is full of it everywhere you go and learning early to have confidence and learning that hard work can pay off is great. I do not believe in pushing a child where they really don't want to go and making expectations of them that are just not realistic.

Sleeping Bear: How do the Olympic Games factor into skating's appeal?

Browning: I suppose the Olympic Games factor into almost every single sports appeal. Figure skating happens to be what some people call the "darling" event at the Olympics. It is when competitive skaters can really shine in front of the largest audience.

Sleeping Bear: Are sports a good career choice? Or better as an avocation or hobby?

Browning: Well, I believe almost every single athlete making a living in sports started out with it being a hobby. Enjoy athletics; let it take you where it goes and be happy with all it brings you — fitness, friends, and an understanding of teamwork, leadership and hard work.

Sleeping Bear: Is there a connection between the discipline it takes to excel in sports and the discipline it takes to excel in school?

Browning: Giving up the parties on the weekend to study, working out extra hard in the gym and watching your diet — these things are not sacrifices at all if you love what you are doing. That said, success in any area involves words like discipline and sacrifice. I just never really thought too much about it because I loved what I was doing so much. To be honest, in hindsight, I wish I had made the same effort when it came to school.

Sleeping Bear: What was your favorite subject in grammar school/high school?

Browning: This is easy — gym class followed closely by English. Truly, I enjoyed most subjects, except math, I suppose.