Brown Wins First Freeski Halfpipe World Cup in Calgary

Australian teenager Indra Brown claimed her first FIS Freeski Halfpipe World Cup victory on January 3 in Calgary, Alberta, capping a flawless podium progression in her debut season, while American veteran Nick Goepper secured gold in the men's event to lock in his spot for a fourth Olympics. The competition at WinSport Canada Olympic Park served as the third stop of the 2025-26 season and the penultimate event before final selections for the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Games.

Brown, a 15-year-old from Melbourne, led from her opening run with a score of 85.20, featuring a left 900 safety, right cork 900 safety, left 720 safety, switch right 540, switch left 360 mute, and left alley-oop 360 Japan. No other competitor surpassed her mark. China's Zhang Kexin took silver with 84.20, and American Svea Irving earned bronze at 83.20. China's Li Fanghui, last season's overall winner, placed fourth. The result elevated Brown to the top of the women's halfpipe standings with 240 points, 55 ahead of Zhang, and positioned her second in the overall park and pipe rankings.

The win marked Brown as the youngest Australian to triumph in a World Cup event and the first from her country to secure...