The Israeli women's team won gold and silver medals for the Sailing World Championships in the Netherlands on Saturday.
Winning Israel’s first gold medal in the women’s iQFoil category was Shahar Tibi, 25, while 24-year-old Katy Spychakov, brought home silver.
It is the first time in a decade that Israel has won a windsurfing world title.
Israel take a 1-2 in the Women's iQFOiL 🇮🇱 Shahar Tibi is a Sailing World Champion 🥇🔥 #GetReadyForTheBest | #AllianzSWC23TheHague pic.twitter.com/BZ3GEaISFB
— World Sailing 🌎⛵️ (@worldsailing) August 19, 2023
Speaking to reporters after the event Tibi said: “I can’t explain what I am feeling and I can’t be happier about what we achieved.
“This was a physically hard day and week. I wasn’t able to get to the podium last year and this time is my first time, so I’m very excited. Thanks to everyone at home, to the sailing association, to the national team, to my parents and family. Thanks to everyone, I have no words.”
She dedicated her win to former Israeli windsurfer Lee Korzits, who claimed four world titles in 2003, 2011, 2012, and 2013.
Tibi said Korzits, who suffers from a rare blood cancer called Polycythemia vera, is “fighting for her life.”
She said: “Ten years have passed since she won her fourth and last world title. I was there with her as a 15-year-old teenager. Korzits is fighting for her life and inspired me and many others.”
Shai Buber, chair of the Israel Sailing Association said: “These are moments of glory for Israeli sailing.
“Since Lee Korzits there hasn’t been an Israeli world champion, and today we have a champion and a runner-up. It is inspiring to see Shahar Tibi reach this status, and good on her.”
Tibi came eighth when she represented Israel in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, while Spychakov came sixth.
