[1][citation needed] Leskinen was the first woman to pull off a rodeo 720: two rotations with her head pointed towards the earth.

In 2000, while attending the US Open, she spotted some pros having a practice session on a rail and decided to learn freestyle skiing.

[4] In her first US Open, Leskinen was the only woman doing the Big Air event and one of the handful of women participating on the Superpipe.

[4][7] With her classic high cheekbones and blonde tresses, Leskinen became a pin-up girl in sponsor posters.

[9] Leskinen appeared on the 30th season of The Amazing Race with teammate Jen Hudak;[10] they finished in 3rd place.