Teenage sensation Indra Brown has delivered a historic debut performance for Australian winter sports, claiming a bronze medal in the freeski halfpipe at Secret Garden, China. At just 15 years of age, Brown becomes the youngest Australian ever to secure a World Cup podium finish.

Competing at the venue of the 2022 Olympic Games, Brown impressed from the outset, qualifying for her first World Cup final in fourth place with a score of 85 points.

In challenging winter conditions during the best-of-two-run final, the New South Wales Institute of Sport (NSWIS) scholarship holder displayed composure beyond her years, producing two strong performances. Her opening run earned 82 points, securing third place and cementing her place in the history books.

Brown said it was an unforgettable moment to stand alongside athletes she has long admired. 

“To podium in my first World Cup is an incredible feeling, especially to be able to share it with my idols,” Brown said. “I was able to keep my composure in the tough conditions today by staying calm and remind myself of what I need to do to land my run. 

“It’s a dream come true to share the podium with such incredible athletes and it’s a moment I’ll never forget 

“The support from home has been amazing, I’ve loved staying connected with everyone and seeing all the messages from friends, family and supporters,” she said. 

Brown’s podium result sets the record at 15 years and 10 months, eclipsing snowboarders, and fellow NSWIS athletes, Torah Bright and Valentino Guseli who both podiumed at age 16 years and 11 months.

Her podium run included a leftside 900, rightside 900, leftside 720, switch rightside 540, switch leftside 360 and finished with an alley-oop 360 with grabs in each jump.

The gold medal went to China’s 2022 Olympic champion Eileen Gu with a score of 91.75, while Great Britain’s Zoe Atkin claimed silver with 90.25 points.

Brown will now head to Colorado for the next World Cup event in Copper Mountain, USA, on December 20. 

FREESKI HALFPIPE RESULTS

Full FIS World Cupwomen’s freeski halfpipe results here

Snow Australia

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