Indra braves snowstorm for training run

Indra Brown has braved a snowstorm and negative temperatures in the double digits to have her first training run on the Olympic Halfpipe at Milano Cortina 2026.

The youngest member of the Australian Winter Olympic Team celebrated her 16th birthday last month. 

Brown is one of the last athletes to begin their Olympic campaigns, with Freeski Halfpipe qualifiers on Day 13 (Thursday 19 February).

Brown comes into the Games ranked number one in the Freeski Park and Pipe World Cup standings, after her incredibly swift rise through the Halfpipe ranks.

She made her World Cup debut only three months ago, medalling in three out of four World Cup events – including gold in Calgary in early January. The Victorian also won a silver medal at the 2026 Aspen X Games last month, behind British World Champion Zoe Atkin

Having not even dropped into a halfpipe a few of years ago, Brown said it’s “a dream come true” to be competing at her first Olympic Games this week.

“I’m just trying to soak up every day, take it one day at a time, not rush things and just enjoy it,” she said.

“[I’m most excited] to wear the green and gold, I think it’s an honour to put on this outfit and ski it down the halfpipe, so I’m just super proud of myself for getting here.

“I made it to the Olympics, not many people get to experience that, so I’m really grateful.”

The first official training in the pipe on Monday evening was in some of the toughest conditions any athlete has braved in Livigno so far, with swirling winds, heavy snow and freezing temperatures.

Brown took it all in her stride, embracing the chance to have her first official run of the Olympic halfpipe.

“It’s definitely not as easy as a perfect day, but, you know, we train for these conditions, so we just have to deal with it,” she said.

“It was amazing [to ski the pipe]. Snowflakes coming down, but it was really good and I was able to put some tricks down that I was really happy about.”

Coming into her debut Games, Brown said she is taking inspiration from the impressive performances of her Aussie teammates, including gold medallists Cooper Woods, Jakara Anthony and Josie Baff, silver medallist Scotty James and bronze medallist Matt Graham.

“Seeing other athletes succeed, especially from Australia, you know, a country where snow sport isn’t something that first comes to mind, so it’s just super inspiring!”

Indra Brown will compete in the Women’s Freeski Halfpipe qualification on Thursday 19 February (5.30am AEDT Friday 20 February), with the top 12 skiers advancing to finals on Saturday 21 February (5.30am AEDT Sunday 20 February).

Australian Olympic Committee