U.S. U23 Women’s K1 Team on the podium after earning Bronze Medals in the U23 WK1 Team event at 2025 ICF Junior & U23 Canoe Slalom World Championships.
Athletes L-R: Marcella Altman, Ria Sribar, Evy Leibfarth
Photo Credit: Eric Francis
The U.S. Canoe Slalom Team made a powerful statement at the 2025 ICF Junior and U23 World Championships in Foix, France, held July 8–13, with standout performances, breakthrough moments, and historic firsts.
Evy Leibfarth followed up her incredible performance at World Cup 3 in Prague—where she earned her first-ever World Cup gold medal in Women’s K1 and a bronze in Women’s Kayak Cross—with another sensational showing in Foix. At the U23 World Championships, she claimed gold in Women’s C1, earning the title of U23 World Champion, and added a silver medal in Women’s K1, continuing her momentum on the international stage.
Adding to the success, the U23 Women’s K1 Team—Evy Leibfarth, Ria Sribar, and Marcella Altman—captured bronze in the team event. It marked their first-ever team medal after seven years together on the U.S. national team—a testament to their perseverance and chemistry. Altman also shined individually, placing 6th in Women’s Kayak Cross, her best-ever international finish.
On the men’s side, Kaelin Friedenson grabbed international attention in Kayak Cross by introducing a game-changing maneuver: a kickflip in the roll zone, bypassing the slower traditional roll techniques. This innovation—unprecedented in this type of international competition—earned praise from competitors and coaches alike and is expected to shape future race strategies. Kyler long also had a solid individual finishing a very respectable 13th.
Among the Junior athletes, 16-year-old Carden Oetting delivered a standout performance, finishing 4th in Women’s C1 and 9th in Women’s K1—remarkable results at such a young age on the world stage. Notably, every U23 and Junior woman on the U.S. team advanced to the semifinals in each slalom event they entered, underscoring the depth of talent and promising future of American women’s slalom.
We were sorry to see Wyatt Christie Williams unable to compete due to an unfortunate stomach bug, but know he will have many more opportunities in the future. Many of our other athletes had very respectable results especially given their lack of international experience and youth.
From breakthrough medals to technical innovations and rising stars, the U.S. team’s performance in Foix reflects the strength, resilience, and growing impact of American athletes on the international slalom scene.