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Today I met Elvis Stojko and Kurt Browning on a cold and sunny day at Nathan Phillips Square in Toronto
Today I met Elvis Stojko and Kurt Browning on a cold and sunny day at Nathan Phillips Square in Toronto

Meeting Canadian Skating Legends Elvis Stojko and Kurt Browning

What an unexpected pleasure to meet Canadian figure skating champions Elvis Stojko and Kurt Browning!

Today at Toronto’s Nathan Phillips Square, Ridley College put on a coaching showcase event to promote their new figure skating program (see TorontoToday review with photos). Incidentally, what a terrific scenario where a student’s skating training is integrated with their school day and not in conflict with it.

I grew up figure skating and have long admired these two. (Was I very good? Absolutely not. Did I love it though? So much. Bless my coaches, and my parents, for their patience.)

What a joy to stand with the sun on my back at the edge of the rink on such a frigid day, watching and listening to their coaching session for young skaters from Ridley College. It brought back so many memories. I’m sure I’ve seen Kurt Browning skate at North York’s Centennial Arena in 1989 (or 1990?), with Brian Orser, though I don’t think I’ve seen Elvis Stojko perform in person.

Learning to skate, age 4, with my lovely mom, at Mitchell Field Rink in North York
Learning to skate, age 4, with my lovely mom, at Mitchell Field Rink in North York

Here are Elvis Stojko and Kurt Browning at the 1993 World Figure Skating Championships Exhibitions in Prague, 33 years ago. (I gather they’ve been friends for a very long time!)

Although I haven’t kept up with the skating scene, I’m thrilled to see that they’re both still active in the community. Many thanks to them for their kindness today posing for a photo with me. This may be a sign for me to limber up and put on some skates again…!?!