Cape Town’s 13-Year-Old Skier Conquers the Andes in International Victory

Photo Credit: Kim Whitaker - Supplied

Julia Whitaker has her sights set on the 2030 Winter Olympics after winning gold at the IFSA La Parva Junior Freeride Competition in Chile.

Chile (24 August 2026) – At just 13 years old, Cape Town’s Julia Whitaker is already making waves on the international skiing scene after claiming first place at the IFSA La Parva 2-Star Junior Freeride Competition in Chile.

Whitaker travelled from South Africa to the Andes during the local winter. The team, including Freeride World Tour winners Juliette Willmann, Drew Tabke and Reine Barkered, took on some of the world’s junior freeride talent at La Parva.

Her winning run earned 34.47 points, with the youngster impressing the judges with her technique, control, fluidity and style. Unlike traditional ski racing, freeride competitors aren’t given a set route. Instead, they choose their own line down an ungroomed mountain face, using the natural terrain to showcase their skill and creativity.

Julia embraced that freedom, launching off natural features and incorporating freestyle elements into her run. Her style score was particularly impressive, earning 7.40 from all three judges, her highest-scoring category.

But the podium finish came just days after a very different experience on the mountain.

At the 3-Star event at El Colorado, Julia opted for an ambitious line that included three major natural features. Things didn’t quite go to plan, with the teenager taking two big crashes.

Rather than letting the falls get to her, Julia picked herself up, finished the run with a massive smile and later laughed about the spectacular blooper with fellow young freeriders and friends from California, Clay Willett and Chloe Mahoney.

That journey is even more remarkable because she comes from South Africa, where access to snow and regular mountain training is limited. Much of her preparation happens off the snow in Cape Town, with international trips providing opportunities to train, compete and gain experience on actual mountain terrain.

During her journey to Chile, Julia crossed paths with the Springboks, with Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu encouraging her to keep chasing her dream of representing South Africa at the Winter Olympics. And suddenly, that dream doesn’t seem quite so far-fetched.

Freeride skiing and snowboarding were confirmed for the Alpes 2030 Winter Olympic Games in France, where the disciplines will make their Olympic debut.

Julia has also drawn inspiration from South Africans who have already broken into winter sport, including Matthew Smith, who represented the country in cross-country skiing at the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics.

Julia will be 17 when the Olympic flame is lit in the French Alps in 2030. For now, there is still plenty of skiing, training, and travelling between her and that Olympic dream.