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Indra Brown secures historic World Cup victory
A 15-year-old Australian skier, Indra Brown, has made history by winning her first World Cup event in the women's freeski halfpipe, solidifying her status as a rising star ahead of the Winter Olympics next month.
Record-breaking debut season
Brown's triumph at the Canadian resort of Calgary marked her third consecutive podium finish in her first three World Cup appearances. She joins Sweden's Jennie-Lee Burmansson as the only athletes to achieve podiums in their first three World Cup events in a freestyle skiing discipline.
Her victory was secured with a score of 85.20 on her first run, a performance no other competitor could match. China's Zhang Kexin finished second with 84.20, while American Svea Irving took third place with 83.20.
Reaction and journey to the top
"I'm just full of joy, super happy that I was able to land a run and ski how I did today in these conditions," Brown said after her win.
Brown's path to victory began with a third-place finish in her debut at Secret Garden, China, in early December, followed by a second-place result at Copper Mountain in the U.S. before the Christmas break. Her latest win makes her the youngest Australian to claim a World Cup victory and the first from her country to secure three World Cup podiums.
Olympic prospects
With her victory in Calgary, Brown now leads the women's freeski halfpipe standings with 240 points, 55 points ahead of Zhang in second place. However, her selection for the Australian Olympic team remains uncertain.
The final decision will be made after the last World Cup event before the Games, scheduled to take place in Aspen, U.S., from January 8 to 10. The Winter Olympics are set to begin in Milan and Cortina, Italy, on February 6.
What's next
Brown's focus will now shift to the upcoming World Cup event in Aspen, where she will aim to further cement her place in the Australian Olympic squad.
