Israeli Windsurfers Miss Podium at Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Venue Event

For the first time this season, Israeli windsurfing representatives failed to reach the podium at the season finale competition held at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic sailing site. European champion Tamar Steinberg and Paris Olympic silver medalist Sharon Kantor were eliminated during the medal race knockout stage, finishing sixth and eighth respectively. The event, concluding overnight between Thursday and Friday in Long Beach, was part of the 2026 Grand Slam sailing series and marked the first official competition at the upcoming Olympic venue, with boat races scheduled for the following week.

Steinberg started strong, leading after the first day and maintaining stable performance until a difficult final qualifying day dropped her to fourth place, just enough to reach the semifinals. Kantor began poorly, ranking in the twenties, but a strong last day propelled her to eighth place and into the quarterfinals. Both athletes struggled in the medal races, with Kantor eliminated in the quarterfinals and Steinberg in the semifinals, unable to challenge the finalists. Daniela Peleg narrowly missed the medal races, finishing twelfth.

The competition was won by British world champion Emma Wilson. The absence of Israeli women on the podium ended a remarkable streak of successes this season, including Kantor’s silver at the Lanzarote World Cup and Steinberg’s gold in Palma de Mallorca and silver in Hyères, as well as gold and bronze medals at the recent European Championship.

Women’s team coach Shahar Tzabari commented that the team’s performance reflected an overall dip in form but emphasized the event’s importance for familiarizing with the Olympic venue and preparing for the upcoming World Championship, their main goal this year. Concurrently, Israeli men windsurfers Yoav Cohen, Tomer Veredimon, and Tom Raubani finished outside the top ten, placing 21st, 27th, and 28th respectively. In women’s kite foil, competitors Maya Ashkenazi and Gal Zuckerman placed 14th and 15th.