Three-Timing Man

MUNICH--It was mission accomplished for Kurt Browning, the man with the golden blades and a license to thrill.

Browning, 24, captured his third straight men's singles title at the world figure skating championships yesterday, coming from behind to defeat arch-rival Viktor Petrenko of the Soviet Union.

"I really don't know how I feel yet," said Browning. "It hasn't really hit me yet."

Browning, the man known for executing the first quadruple jump in competition, charged to his third straight gold with his mastery of the triple combination last night.

The Caroline, Alta., skater executed eight triples altogether in his freeskate program at the Munich Olympiahalle, including three extremely difficult triple combinations. The quad Browning had scheduled was downgraded to a triple, a decision he made "in the air."

Petrenko, who took the silver medal for the second straight year, managed seven triples, but no triple combinations.

Browning's performance highlighted a remarkable night for Canadian skaters. Richmond Hill's Elvis Stojko became the first man to pull off a quadruple toe loop/double toe loop combination jump. And Michael Slipchuk's seventh place finish gave Canada three men in the top seven for the first time in history. Stojko, 18, was sixth.

But the night belonged to Browning, who has established himself as one of the greatest figure skaters of all time.

"I enjoy competing very much and when I'm on the ice competing, everything becomes crystal clear and there's nothing to worry about in the world except what you're doing at that moment," said the Caroline Kid.

The Canadian credits Petrenko, who skated right after Browning last night, for pushing him to the limit.

"He's just so good, it really makes (winning) worth something," said Browning. "We could take turns winning. It's that close."

It certainly was at this competition. Petrenko, 21, won the original program on Wednesday with a masterful skate and then came up with a fine freeskate, something he has not always done.

But Browning's routine was just too technically packed for the Soviet. Especially the three faultless triple combinations.

"I'm sure that didn't hurt," said Browning.

Interestingly, Petrenko received the only perfect 6.0 in the freeskate, for artistic impression. But he also earned two 5.7s, while Browning scored nothing but 5.8s and 5.9s.

Browning said he wasn't surprised with his marks. Indeed, he didn't expect anything better, no matter how well he skated, because Petrenko was next in line.

"They had to leave room for Viktor to skate the skate of his life," said Browning, a member of the Royal Glenora Club in Edmonton.

American Todd Eldredge won the bronze yesterday. Czech Petr Barna was fourth. Soviet Alexei Urmanov also pulled off a quad and finished eighth.