thestar.com

[Kurt Browning], 24, who is coached by Michael Jiranek at Edmonton's Royal Glenora Club, goes after a third consecutive world title in Munich, Germany, next March. His ultimate goal is gold at the 1992 Winter Olympics in Albertville, France.

Browning has won every meet he has entered this year, starting with the Canadian championships in Sudbury in February. After some time off following his triumph in Halifax, he went to Tacoma, Wash., and won the gold medal at the Goodwill Games during the summer. He was first at Skate Canada in Lethbridge, Alta., in October and won a gold medal at the Nations Cup meet in Gelsenkirchen, Germany, in November.

Hockey players have been Canada's athlete of the year 21 times since the award's inception in 1932. The stars of the NHL generally have a much higher profile than figure skaters. But Browning, a high- spirited, daring athlete, is helping to elevate his sport to new heights in Canada in terms of acceptance by a broad range of sports fans.