Nataliya Leshko’s Highlighted Results:
2024: 3rd at the Canadian Olympic Trials in the Formula Kite Women’s Class: https://www.sailing.ca/the-canadian-athlete-to-compete-in-womens-kitebo…;
2022: Formula Kite Women’s World Championships (Sardinia), Women's Formula Kite Class: Top Canadian Woman (https://www.formulakite.org/2022worlds)
2022: Formula Kite Women’s European Championships (Greece), Women's Formula Kite Class: Top Canadian Woman (https://www.formulakite.org/2022europeans)
2022: CORK Olympic Classes Regatta (Canada), Women's Formula Kite Class: Top Woman (https://www.cork.org/past-results/results2022/OCR_Formula_Kite_results.html)
2022: FORK National Regatta (Canada), Women's Formula Kite Class: Top Female (https://theclubspot.com/regatta/sioLjWximG/results)
A disciplined, non-traditional competitor, Nataliya accelerated her training in 2020 to competitive-level kitefoiling from recreational kiteboarding. Prior to sailing, Nataliya competed on both the varsity novice rowing and dragon boat teams for the University of Toronto, where she graduated with honours from Rotman Commerce. She is currently working full-time in banking while pursuing her dream of representing Canada in the 2024 Olympics.
Nataliya is honoured to represent Canada internationally as their inaugural Women’s Formula Kite Class competitor. The first sailor in her family and a naturalized citizen of Canada, Nataliya emigrated with her family from Ukraine to Toronto as a young child. A proud member of Ontario Sailing (Maple Leaf Kite Group), she is a strong advocate for improving inclusive, equitable access to recreational and competitive watersports for women. As both a kiteboarding instructor and a competitive athlete, Nataliya takes the privilege of being a Canadian ambassador very seriously both on, and off, the water. She hopes her increased visibility inspires more women and girls to learn wind sports.
Global News Kingston Interview: https://globalnews.ca/video/9073145/some-of-the-best-kiteboarders-in-th…;