The Making of World Cup Medallist Indra Brown

For Indra Brown, a historic World Cup debut wasn’t something she had planned from childhood, it grew naturally from a love of skiing that began in Canada.

“I’d definitely say it was a bit of a surprise that I fell into the freeski discipline,” Indra said. 

“When we were living in Canada, all you really do on the weekends is go skiing, your local hills are only about 30 minutes away. 

“Skiing every weekend, I started enjoying it from a super young age, then joined clubs and just kept progressing. 

“Growing up in the sport, I really fell in love with it and developed such a passionate desire to keep going and I never stopped.”

As an Australian competing in a winter discipline, believing a World Cup pathway was possible didn’t always feel obvious, until she saw proof on the Olympic stage. Watching the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games proved a turning point.

“Seeing Jakara Anthony win gold in moguls was such a cool moment,” Brown says. 

“Like wow! Aussie athletes can do well in winter sports and can pursue it, even though it's something you wouldn't think someone from Australia would be competing in. So I think she was a really inspiring person.”

Brown’s competitive journey built steadily, starting close to home before expanding internationally. 

“I definitely started off doing interschools, then travelled to Canada to compete in local provincial competitions,” she said. 

“Getting good results there helped me progress to the Nor-Am circuit in North America, and then onto the World Cup. 

“It was a step-by-step pathway, starting with Australian competitions, then provincial events, and building each season through higher-level North American competitions.”

Arriving at her World Cup debut, nerves were inevitable, but excitement outweighed everything.

“There was definitely a bit of nerves going into it, but so much excitement just to be able to show people what I've been working on,” she said. 

“I’ve been training really hard, so I just really wanted to go out there and do my best.”

That mindset paid off immediately, with a strong qualifying run, Brown advanced into the finals at her very first World Cup start.

“It was a super special moment to qualify for the finals,” she said. 

“I went in there just wanting to land my run, have a good time, have lots of fun. So to come out going into finals was just super special.

“Going into the final with Olympic and World Cup Champions was surreal. 

“It was incredible to be able to ski, train and compete against my idols, people that I look up to, it was such a special moment.

“When I knew I landed on the podium, I was just full of joy, excitement to see all my hard work paid off. I ran over to my mum, and it was a super special moment.”

Only later did Brown learn the full significance of her achievement, becoming the youngest Australian to ever medal on World Cup debut. 

“That was definitely a surprise,” she said. 

“I had no idea until I went online after and saw it, and I was shocked. I didn’t realise.”

Throughout her journey, family support has remained a constant. Having her mum supporting her at events has made a meaningful difference. 

“It’s super amazing,” she said. 

“It’s really helpful just to have that support around me, and to keep that pressure off me so I can just focus on what I’m doing.”

At just 15, Indra Brown’s World Cup debut was more than a podium finish, it was the beginning of what promises to be an exciting new chapter for Australian freeskiing.