Israel Sends 8 Windsurfers to World Championships in England

Eight Israeli windsurfers, four men and four women, are set to compete in the World Championships taking place in Weymouth-Portland on England's south coast. The six-day competition begins today, September 7, 2026, with final races scheduled for Saturday. This event is the largest and most significant windsurfing competition ever held at the Weymouth-Portland site and the first world championship in British waters for an Olympic class since 2009. Last year's champions were local sailors Emma Wilson and Andy Brown.

The Israeli women's team, coached by Shahar Tzuberi, includes Olympic silver medalist and 2024 World Champion Sharon Kantor, European Championship medalist Daniela Peleg, recent European Champion and last year's World Championship runner-up Tamar Steinberg, and European Championship silver medalist Shahar Tobi. Despite no Israeli women finishing on the podium at the last competition in Los Angeles two months ago, the team aims to secure at least two spots on the world podium, considering themselves the best team globally.

The men's team, coached by Stav Beimal, features Olympic champion Tom Reuveny, who placed fourth at the European Championships, along with Yoav Omer, Yoav Cohen, and Tomer Verdimon. A total of 250 athletes from over 40 countries are participating in the championship, which is known for its stable and favorable wind conditions.