On Day 3 of the U23 and Junior Slalom World Champs, Lois Leaver claimed another U23 world championship medal in what has been a fantastic season so far for the Scot.
Despite picking up a couple of penalties in the semi final and a 50 second penalty which was reviewed and taken off, Leaver qualified comfortably into the final in 5th position.
She went on to put an incredible fast run down after changing her plan tactically to help carry more speed between gates 7-9.
She stormed into the lead with a time of 94.42 which was over 2 seconds quicker than the semi-final time.
However Eva-Alina Hocevar from Slovenia put down an outstanding run to take the lead from Leaver with a time of 93.76. USA's Evy Leibfarth was over 2 seconds faster on the last split but lost a little time on the bottom slotting in between Hocevar and Leaver to take silver.
“It feels absolutely insane to get another bronze medal this year. I wasn’t feeling very good between the semi's and finals, so I'm happy to come and put a run down that's top of the field and the girls did absolutely amazing runs”
“It felt like there was nothing to lose and I changed my tactics and went for a double spin instead, and I'm glad that it paid off” said Leaver.
Sam Leaver made the final with a quick run placing him in 5th position with a time of 84.59. With time to gain to get on the podium it is about knowing your risk vs rewards and ensuring you keep the boat moving and staying clean.
Leaver went 2 seconds quicker than his semi final time however picked up a 2 second penalty early on gate 5.
“It’s pretty frustrating, especially the gate that I did it on because I'd identified that as being a risk and an unnecessary risk to take. Just natural reaction in the moment, putting in my left blade because it kind of felt right but pushed my bow into the pole”
“Two years in a row now a touch has cost me a medal, so I guess there is an area to improve on.”
Home favourite and Olympic silver medallist from Paris, Titouan Castryck, was looking to take home the crown on his home course putting an incredibly fast time of 79.28 but then picking up a penalty on gate 6 putting the win at risk however his fast time enabled to take the win from Italy's Xabier Ferazzi by only 0.14, Czechs Jakub Krejci claimed bronze.
With the slalom finished for Sam Leaver he now puts his focus on resting and preparing for the Kayak Cross at the weekend.
“Coming into the kayak cross as the number 1 ranked, I definitely want to try take two wins across the time trial and head to head especially on a course like this where it's could become more scrappy, which is what I can do” said Leaver.
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