At just 21 years old, Evy Leibfarth has already achieved so much in the sport – yet she has many exciting years ahead of her.
Ever since Leibfarth burst onto the scene, the world of Canoe Slalom has been taking note of this talented paddler from the United States.
Aged 15, Leibfarth won her first International Canoe Federation Canoe Slalom World Cup medal with kayak cross silver in Bratislava.
She backed that up by clinching the kayak cross junior world title before being crowned Pan American Games champion in kayak.
A couple of years later, Leibfarth enjoyed further success in Bratislava, sealing kayak cross bronze at the ICF Canoe Slalom World Championships.
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More World Cup medals and age-group world titles followed before Leibfarth won Olympic bronze in the women’s canoe in Paris last year.
Leibfarth has now made a stunning start to this season, winning her first World Cup gold in Prague before capturing the women’s C1 U23 crown in Foix this week.
Having enjoyed all this success and competed at two Olympic Games over the past six years, it’s surprising when you realise that Leibfarth is still only 21 and is continuing to improve her paddling.
“I think that the past couple of years have been a lot of growing for me,” said Leibfarth.
“I have been learning how to race under pressure and learning how to train more effectively.
“I feel like I’m starting to get it. It’s so nice.”
A maiden World Cup triumphed in Prague followed by an U23 world title in Foix underlines the fantastic form Leibfarth is in as she now looks to turn her top talent into victories.
Leibfarth revealed that a change in mindset in helping her to deliver title-winning performances.
“I’m just starting to enjoy the process a bit more,” said Leibfarth.
“It’s really easy to become results orientated and chase the best result and the fastest time. That can really get into your head.
“Now every time I’m getting in the start gate, I’m thinking ‘Wow I’m so lucky to be feeling all these emotions and getting to race in front of this crowd’, and I’m just enjoying my run.”
The future of Canoe Slalom is looking very bright as Leibfarth is one of an incredibly talented group of female padders coming through.
This week has seen Leibfarth battle it out for U23 world crowns with the likes of Slovakia’s Zuzana Pankova, Slovenia’s Eva Alina Hocevar and Great Britain’s Lois Leaver who have all made an impact on the global stage at senior level.
Yesterday, Leibfarth overcame Pankova and Hocevar to strike gold in the women’s U23 C1.
“I’m racing out here with people that I grew up podiuming with which is kind of crazy,” said Leibfarth.
“I have been chasing the C1 gold for a while.
“I’m really happy that I was able to put down a run that I was really proud of.
“I really wanted it.
“I went out at the start, and I knew that everyone else in this final was also gunning for it.
“I paddled as hard as I could and I got a really good feeling on the water which is always great.
“So many of these girls have been to the Olympics, have world medals and are all young.
“It’s a spectacular field out here and I’m so proud to be a part of this generation of female athletes.”
Leibfarth is now looking to lead this next generation of paddlers into the Olympic cycle as excitement and preparations build for a home Games for the American ace.
Oklahoma City will stage the ICF Canoe Slalom World Championships in 2026 before holding the Olympic slalom and kayak cross events in 2028.
“Going into the World Championships next year in Oklahoma and of course the Olympics, I’m so excited to welcome everyone to our home training ground,” added Leibfarth.
“We have never really had a home international race before, so it feels really good to put some results out there now in the lead up to it.”
Full coverage of the ICF Junior and U23 Canoe Slalom World Championships can be viewed on the Planet Canoe YouTube channel.
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Related links
- Diaz dazzles, Leibfarth shines and Czechs do double on sizzling day in Foix
- French men rule as Pankova and Leibfarth enjoy maiden World Cup wins
- Medals, Instagram and more: The dual journey of Leibfarth
