Teen freestyle skier eyes 2026 Winter Olympics debut after World Cup podium finishes

A year ago, making her Olympic debut wasn’t even on her radar. But Brown had an outstanding year.

“So I thought: OK, she’s extremely passionate about what she does and really enjoys it,” says Anne.

‘To come away with a bronze medal was absolutely unexpected and extremely exciting.’

Indra Brown reflects on her impressive World Cup results

“For him, it’s a challenge not against his competition, but against himself… I think it’s pretty organic in terms of progression and development. [she’s] I was doing

“And the North American season we just had was probably when I was like: OK, it’s not bad, it’s going well.”

Brown is certainly in good shape. The Melbourne teenager has impressed in her short time on the World Cup circuit and will take part in two more competitions in Calgary and Aspen before Olympic selection is completed.

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Competitors typically compete in three freestyle ski disciplines (big air, slopestyle and halfpipe), but Brown is only competing in the halfpipe event in his first season.

“I would love to do all three events, but for just my first year on the track, it can get pretty chaotic moving around and going to all the events you have to qualify for,” he says.

“So in the first one I’ll focus on the halfpipe and get a lot of experience in that, so I’m not worried. And hopefully, after these Olympics, with a little more experience, I’ll be able to get into all three disciplines and get better at it.”

Focusing on a single discipline paid off for Brown, who managed to salvage silver at Copper Mountain despite crashing on his second run in the final.

Brown’s secret weapon is the “mushroom 9”, a mirror trick that shows you can turn both left and right.

After launching himself into the wall of the halfpipe, Brown performs two and a half spins, meaning he lands backwards. He then heads backwards to the next wall before spinning in the opposite direction before doing the same thing again.

The trick is technically difficult, which means it scores well when executed properly.

When marking a run, judges score skiers on amplitude (height above the halfpipe), difficulty, execution, variety and progress.

Skiers are in the halfpipe for about 30 seconds per run and perform six tricks, three on each wall.

Brown says trying a new trick for the first time is always intimidating, but there are safety nets to help you test them before you hit the halfpipe.

“I remember a lot of my first attempts and definitely the nerves kicking in and the commitment,” he says. “I think that’s always the scariest part for me, just getting over that mental factor or just getting attached to something unknown.

“There are some airbag facilities [to train]. This is fake snow made of plastic bristles followed by a takeoff towards the airbag. “It looks like a blow-up castle, so we can try new tricks safely and not hurt ourselves.”

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As scary as Brown finds this, his mother is even more worried.

“The wall of the half pipe is 25 feet, and then when they let the air out, they add some extra feet depending on the amplitude they get,” Anne says.

“[It’s] It’s pretty scary. I love watching all the kids compete in whatever sport they compete in, but I have to admit that watching them in the halfpipe scares me a little.

Winter Olympic Games will be broadcast on television 9Network, 9Now And Stan Sports.

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