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AAP
AAP
Melissa Woods

Daredevil daughter Brown earns Olympic ski selection

Teen skier Indra Brown earned a surprise Olympic selection in her first World Cup season. (Preston Peterson/AAP PHOTOS)

Australia's youngest Olympian in Milan-Cortina, Indra Brown, has created plenty of buzz with her freeski results - but not long ago her dad Grant was the most famous figure in the family.

Turning 16 just before the opening ceremony on February 6, Brown shocked the winter world by making the podium in her first three World Cup halfpipe events, winning gold in Canada earlier this month.

The run of results sealed her selection in the 53-strong Australian team which was announced in Melbourne on Friday.

Indra Brown
Indra Brown is the youngest of five teenagers in Australia's 53-strong Winter Olympic team. (PR IMAGE PHOTO)

Last October, the Brown family were in the headlines for a very different reason, with her father Grant earning the nickname 'Captain Underpants' when he chased down and restrained a teenager who broke into their Melbourne house early one morning.

Wearing only his underpants, the dad of four caught the boy running from his house and made the youngster call the police using his own phone.

The new Olympian told AAP she was glad her dad was unhurt by the intruders, but wasn't thrilled about his choice of clothing.

"We're just lucky that no-one was hurt with the break-in, but it was pretty embarrassing having my dad outside in his underwear," said the year 10 student.

Australian team chef de mission Alisa Camplin said she could see where daredevil daughter Indra got her courage from.

"As a Victorian, I did see that story and bravo, him showing the courage to fight for what he thinks is right in life - we can maybe see where Indra gets some of her courage from," Camplin said at the team announcement.

"Indra's mum and dad have been wonderful supporters of her and not rushing her progression through the sport and we will have Indra's mum as an official chaperone on the team as we've got to make sure we look after our under-18s."

Brown is one of five teenagers on the Australian team - all females - and carries the most expectation.

Up against Chinese freeski superstar and dual Olympic champion Eileen Gu, Camplin didn't want the young gun to feel any pressure to medal.

"I'm excited that someone like Indra qualifies at this point of her career so that she can be in that team environment and see other seasoned medal contenders in managing pressure," Camplin said,

"What I hope is that she can just be open to the whole experience, enjoy it and not heap too much pressure on herself.

"She will have the people there that she's been on the World Cup circuit with so fingers crossed we can make it easy and as low-key as possible for her as you can expect when you're lining up next to someone like Eileen Gu."

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