Browning beginning to feel his age but loves to compete

Kurt Browning, figure skating's old man at 32, takes a run against the youngsters when he competes Dec. 11-12 in the World Pro in Washington, D.C.

"It's incredibly daunting," says Browning, a four-time world champion. "They're young. They're at the point in their lives where they're thinking triple (jump), triple, triple, because that's what you have to do to win a world championship. I'm at the point in my career, I'm thinking people, people, people. I think there are a few professionals out there who can step on the ice and at least be compared technically to these guys."

Browning's competition includes reigning world champion Alexei Yagudin, 18; Olympic champion Ilia Kulik, 21; and former world champion Todd Eldredge, 27.

"Yagudin can do eight triples and a quad. If I do five triples I'll be incredibly happy," says Browning, who's from Canada. "But I'm not training that way."

This event is an open competition with professional (Olympic ineligible) and amateurs (eligible). Many of these open events even the playing field by limiting the number of jumps skaters can do. That gives the pros, whose technical skills have diminished a bit, a chance. The professional skaters have the edge in artistry after years of performing in tours.

The women's field includes former Olympic champion Oksana Baiul, Olympic silver medalist Michelle Kwan and two-time Olympic bronze medalist Lu Chen.

The dance event promises to be lively with Maya Usova and Evgeny Platov competing against Pasha Grishuk and Alexander Zhulin. The two couples swapped partners last summer.

Browning is credited with landing the first quadruple jump in competition. It's a staple among Olympic-eligible skaters, but few pros are still landing it.

"I almost landed it last year," Browning says. "I had every intention of keeping the quad going to see if could compete on a technical level with these guys. But it was a very strange summer. I had a couple of injuries and . . . I'm not ready."

One other jump Browning won't be doing is the lutz, a toe-pick-assisted jump skaters begin by gliding backward. After three trips to the hospital, Browning has retired the lutz from his programs.

"My foot would slip off and slide back into my other foot. Once, the blade was still stuck in my other foot half an inch when I fell. Now, I'm spooked about it."

Still, Browning remains among the sport's best-loved athletes.