Cue the Olympics theme song. Yesterday, July 31 was a monumental day for Evy Leibfarth as the 20-year-old Bryson City native took home a bronze medal in the canoe slalom event with a time of 109.95.
Australian canoeist Jessica Fox, Leibfarth’s “inspiration in the sport,” took home the gold. Leibfarth’s third-place finish in the canoe single was somewhat of a comeback, after placing eighth and ninth in Tuesday’s heats and snagging the last spot in the semifinal with a time of 117.58.
This is Leibfarth’s second Olympic Games and her first time securing a medal — but the competition isn’t over for her yet. On Friday, Aug. 2 at 10:40 a.m. EST, she will compete in timed trials for the kayak cross, her third and final event. ICYMI, she’s the first American woman to qualify for three white water events.
