Lee Korzits 311.
(photo credit: Courtesy of ISA)
Israel’s Lee Korzits enters the crucial stage of the windsurfing competition at
the ISAF World Sailing Championships in Perth, Australia ideally placed to claim
a gold medal after consolidating her place atop of the standings on
Thursday.
The 27-year-old ended Thursday’s three races in ninth, second
and third positions, keeping her in first place overall on 14 points after eight
races and four days of competition.
Spain’s Marina Alabau is second on 20
points, with Zofia Noceti-Klepacka in third place on 27 points, two clear of
Great Britain’s Bryony Shaw.
The windsurfers will enjoy a rest day on
Friday before competing in two more races to complete the 10-race program on
Saturday ahead of Sunday’s Medal Race to be contested only by the
top-10.
Korzits became the youngest ever winner of a windsurfing gold at
the World Championships at the age of 19 in 2003, but she all but retired three
years ago, only to make a comeback last year and win a silver medal at the
European Championships in September.
Ma’ayan Davidovich, who is battling
Korzits for Israel’s one and only windsurfing berth at the London Olympics, will
need a good showing on Saturday to qualify for the Medal Race after dropping one
place to 11th overall following Thursday’s races (28, 12, 14).
Gidi
Kliger and Eran Sela are still in contention for a medal in the 470 Class
competition in Perth, climbing to fifth place overall after ending Thursday’s
race in second position.
Kliger and Sela are currently 15 points away
from the top three, but with four more races to come before Sunday’s Medal Race
they will still be hopeful of scaling the podium.
The battle between
Shahar Zubari and Nimrod Mashiah to represent Israel in the windsurfing
competition at the Olympics will recommence on Monday when the men’s RS:X
competition gets underway in Perth.