They traveled from Puerto Montt to compete in the Motortec Technical Olympics and are taking on the best: “We’re representing an entire region.”
Cristóbal Subiabre (12th grade) and Javiera Almonacid (11th grade) are students at the Colegio Salesianos de Puerto Montt and dream of bringing the competition trophy back to southern Chile.
With hard work, preparation, and the support of their families, classmates, and teachers, Javiera Almonacid and Cristóbal Subiabre, students at the Colegio Salesianos de Puerto Montt, are living an experience they will never forget: competing in the Motortec Chile 2026 Technical Olympics.
The journey to Santiago wasn’t easy. In Cristóbal’s case, he first had to go through a selection process at his own school. “I had to compete against my friends to make it here. I’ve come with the full support of the people I love, and I’m eager and determined to do well,” he says.
Both also share the same motivation: to represent their city and those who supported them along the way in the best way possible. “It’s very exciting, though it also makes me really nervous, because when the competition is over, I’ll go back to Puerto Montt and everyone will ask me how it went and what I did in Santiago. I feel a lot of pressure, but I think it’s positive,” says Javiera.
For his part, Cristóbal adds: “I’m very happy to be able to represent Puerto Montt and its entire population. I want to do well; I’m motivated.”
The Technical Olympics is an event organized within Motortec Chile by DUOC UC, where students from technical high schools and higher education institutions compete for the prize to be awarded on the final day of the fair. This competition has become a hallmark of the exhibition and attracts many students over the course of the three days.
In the high school category, students must complete four stations: electricity, electronic diagnostics for gasoline engines, engines, and a theoretical test. They have 40 minutes to complete each station. The winners are determined based on time and their performance on the theoretical test, which results in a final ranking.
Both Javiera and Cristóbal were able to explore part of the fair despite their busy schedule due to the competitions. For both of them, participating in an event like this has been a unique experience.
“It’s a really important, international fair. Half the booths are from other countries, so it’s amazing that an event like this has a space for us. Plus, a lot of people come to watch us compete,” says Cristóbal. Javiera adds, “It’s huge—there’s so much to see.”
The trip to Santiago also represented an opportunity they’d never had before. Both had only visited the capital with their families, so coming as representatives of their school—with expenses covered by the institution—made it a special experience.
“It’s very different now, because the school paid for our travel and lodging. It’s incredible,” says Cristóbal. Javiera adds, “Before, I’d only been able to come with my family. Now it’s totally different to come on behalf of the school.”
Amid the competition, the support of their loved ones has been essential. Cristóbal says that his parents and brother traveled all the way to Santiago to be with him, while his friends are following every one of his events closely from Puerto Montt. Javiera also constantly receives messages of encouragement from those close to her, in addition to the support of her family and her teacher.
That support is precisely what gives their participation in the Technical Olympics even greater meaning. “We feel like we’re representing an entire region,” concludes Javiera, reflecting the pride and sense of responsibility with which they both face this challenge.