Second time around for proud pair

Di and Jamie Brown call their children their "heroes".

The proud couple were thrilled when son Mitchell (22) and daughter Kendall (20) were selected for the New Zealand snowboard team to compete at the Winter Olympics in Vancouver this month.

It is a double achievement for the Dunedin-born siblings, who also competed in the halfpipe at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy.

Kendall, then aged just 16 and New Zealand's youngest Olympian, finished 24th of 34 athletes.

Mitchell, then 18, was 25th of 44.

"Obviously, we are proud. The kids have worked so immensely hard. It is a relief that all their hard work has paid off," Mrs Brown said.

Mr and Mrs Brown leave for Canada next week, already believing their children are "gold medallists" through their battles to be selected.

"I don't care if my kids get last. They've already won a gold medal by being selected. It is so hard to get selected for the Olympics. They are my heroes," Mrs Brown said.

The opening ceremony promised to be an emotional moment.

"When we went last time, I remember Jamie and I looked at each other and thought `Oh my God, why have we let our babies come to this.' You know it is going to be really big but you just don't comprehend it . . .

Then at the opening ceremony you see your babies walk in under that New Zealand flag and it is just, `Oh my goodness,"' Mrs Brown said.

Mr Brown said: "I love it. Even now, it is an amazing thought that it is your kids - and that's what Mitchell said too - standing up at the top of the halfpipe and thinking, `The whole world is watching."

'The siblings have overcome serious injuries to get to Vancouver, while Kendall also had to fight her way back into the team after failing to meet performance and athlete-funding criteria in 2008.

New Zealand's qualification standards had gone up several notches since 2006 and competition was close among eight athletes vying for five spots.

Mr and Mrs Brown said it was a nail-biting time waiting for last week's decision who would be on the snowboard team.

When it came, they celebrated with Champagne.

Snowboarding has been hard on the bones.

Mitchell's most recent battles have been with a bruised bone in his knee and a broken wrist.

At other times, he has had a fractured arm, shoulder injuries and knee-ligament reconstruction.

Kendall has a shoulder injury and has had two pelvic fractures and a dislocated knee recently - plus 13 breaks to her arms since taking up the sport when she was 11.

Kendall's shoulder has a tendency to dislocate while in the air and recently it popped out while using a tow rope.

"She can put it back in herself but sometimes she has to get someone to help her," Mrs Brown said.

Mr Brown said: "There's a whole list of them [injuries] and at times you think, `Why is she even doing it?' But perhaps, unfortunately, she has a very high pain threshold."

The couple laughed when asked if they had any other children.

"We've only got two kids. We couldn't afford any more."

Kendall is now competing at the Canadian Open at Calgary before travelling to Vancouver.

After the games she will return to New Zealand for shoulder surgery.

Mitchell is at a professional training camp in Michigan.

He has three days' break in Mexico before he travels to Vancouver for the opening ceremony next Friday.

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The Browns

- Kendall Brown
Age: 20.
Born: Dunedin.
Based: Wanaka.
Best result: 4th at the Leysinn World Cup open women's pipe in 2006.
Favourite skifields: Cardrona and Snow Park.
Olympics: Turin 2006, 24th in the halfpipe. - Mitchell Brown
Age: 22.
Born: Dunedin.
Based: Wanaka.
Best result: 1st in Burton New Zealand Open halfpipe 2007.
Inspired by: People who overcome challenges to succeed.
Other interests: Surfing, fishing, hunting and playing with his dog Maggie.
Olympics: Turin 2006, 25th in the halfpipe.

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