Cara, left, and Ilke Pepler will compete in the Youth World Championships in China next month. Picture: Supplied.
Durbanville sisters Ilke, 16, and Cara Pepler, 18, are set to compete in the Youth World Championships in China next month.
The International Federation of Sport Climbing (IFSC) competition will take place in the city of Guiyang.
Ilke and Cara will join a South African squad of 18 climbers who qualified in March.
“The South African Youth World Championships team includes climbers who have excelled in various disciplines such as bouldering, lead, and speed climbing. Both Ilke and Cara will be taking part in lead and boulder,” said South African National Climbing Federation spokesperson Bridgette Erdey.
In the lead climbing category, climbers are secured by a rope on an overhanging route with a six-minute time limit. The climber who reaches the highest point wins.
Bouldering is a form of free climbing on small rock formations or artificial rock walls without ropes or harnesses.
Cara said she was eager to give it her best and learn from other talented athletes.
Ilke said: “I will concentrate on figuring out the mental and physical puzzle of competing in order to obtain the best results I possibly can."
The team manager, Carmen Bouwer, said they were working hard to ensure that no climber would miss out due to lack of funds for travelling, accommodation and other costs.
A BackaBuddy campaign is helping to raise the necessary funds.
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