Israel Sends 8 Windsurfers to World Championships in England

The World Windsurfing Championships are set to begin today, Monday, in Weymouth-Portland on England's south coast. The six-day competition will conclude with final races on Saturday at a venue known for its stable and favorable wind conditions. Over 250 athletes from more than 40 countries are participating in what is described as the largest and most significant event ever held at the Weymouth-Portland sailing site. This marks the first world championship in Olympic classes held in British waters since 2009. Last year's champions were local sailors Emma Wilson, an Olympic medalist, and Andy Brown.

Israel will be represented by a delegation of eight windsurfers, with four competing in the women's team and four in the men's team. The 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 a recent competition in Los Angeles, the team aims to secure multiple medals and place at least two Israeli athletes 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 Vardimon.