Six Israeli Windsurfers Advance to Medal Races at iQFoil World Championships

Six Israeli windsurfers have qualified for the medal series at the iQFoil World Championships in Weymouth and Portland, UK. Israel has secured at least one medal in the women's competition, as Tamar Steinberg and Sharon Kantor finished the qualifying rounds in first and second place, respectively, advancing directly to the final.

Steinberg, the reigning European champion and last year's world championship silver medalist, dominated the qualifying stage, winning seven out of 16 races. Her top qualifying position gives her an advantage in the final series, where she needs only one race win to secure the title. Kantor, the 2024 world champion and Olympic silver medalist, overcame a slow start, climbing from 16th place after the first day to secure second overall. She also advanced directly to the final with the same advantage as Steinberg.

Two other Israeli women will compete in the medal series through elimination rounds. Shahar Tibi qualified in seventh place and will start from the quarterfinals, while Daniela Peleg secured the tenth and final qualifying spot after a significant comeback, moving up from 31st place on the second day.

In the men's division, Olympic champion Tom Reuveny and Yoav Omer have both reached the medal series. Reuveny qualified in sixth place, and Omer, who led the overall standings after the third day, finished the qualification in eighth place. Both will begin the final stage of the competition from the quarterfinals.

The championship features approximately 250 athletes from over 40 countries. The top ten male and female competitors qualify for the medal series, with the top two from qualification bypassing earlier rounds to reach the final. The medal races are scheduled for Saturday, September 12.