Australian skier Brown earns historic win

Australian teenager Indra Brown continued her stunning rise on the World Cup circuit with a maiden victory in the women’s freeski halfpipe in Calgary.

The 15-year-old has now finished on the podium in all three of her first World Cup events, moving to the top of the overall standings.

Podium streak continues

Brown produced a composed opening run that earned a score of 85.20, a mark no other skier in the field could beat.

China’s Zhang Kexin finished second with 84.20, while American Svea Irving placed third on 83.20.

Brown’s achievement matches a World Cup record previously set by Sweden’s Jennie-Lee Burmansson, who also reached the podium in her first three starts during the 2017-18 season.

Youngest Australian winner

The victory made Brown the youngest Australian to win a World Cup event and the first from her country to secure three World Cup podium finishes.

“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 the event (International Ski and Snowboard Federation).

She added that she was “really happy and excited for more” after backing up earlier podium finishes in China and the United States (International Ski and Snowboard Federation).

Olympic implications

Brown’s win in Canada lifted her to 240 points in the women’s freeski halfpipe standings, giving her a 55-point lead over Zhang in second place (International Ski and Snowboard Federation).

She is not yet confirmed in Australia’s squad for the Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina, which begin on 6 February.

Final selections will be made after the last World Cup event before the Games, scheduled to take place in Aspen from 8-10 January (Australian Olympic Committee).