“Initially I was drawn to snowboarding because it was cool.”
When she won silver at the Pyeongchang Olympics in February 2018, the 16-year-old Riviera snowboarder became the youngest French medal winner in Winter Olympics history. Julia Pereira’s story is that of a lightning rise in boardercross. “A very complete sport for which you have to be strong, supple and athletic,” the long-haired blonde points out. A born competitor (she hates losing at games) who fears no set-back on the pistes, Julia fast-tracked to international recognition after only a few months in Team France. “I grew up between Saint-Cézaire in summer and Isola 2000 in winter; my parents ran the Le Spot restaurant there, where the snowboard riders used to meet up in the mornings,” remembers the girl who at nine decided she was done with ski lessons, she would snowboard! Knowing her mind and fully decided, Julia joined the resort’s Back to Back snowboard club, where Cannes champion snowboarder Tony Ramoin trained before her. “When he came back from the 2010 Olympics I was impressed. I remember asking my mother ‘Do you think one day I’ll win a medal like him?’” To make that dream a reality, Julia packed her bags for school in Saint-Etienne-de-Tinée then sports college in Villard-de-Lans and Albertville. “Not an easy decision because it meant boarding out and spending all summer studying when other kids were on holiday. Initially I was drawn to snowboarding because it was cool – before the World Cup taught me the serious side!” she laughs. Undiscouraged, Julia won two medals before her Olympic triumph. “A fantastic moment I enjoyed with my family in South Korea. I’m now 17 and have a career ahead of me with lots to achieve.” See you in four years’ time at the Beijing Winter Olympics, Julia!
Par Tanja Stojanov / Photo Jean-Michel Sordello
Côteweb 2021, création de site Internet sur Nice