Davidovich scales podium at windsurfing Worlds

The 26-year-old ended Friday’s medal race in seventh place and missed out on the silver on a tie-breaker after entering the final day of competition in second position overall.

By ALLON SINAI
Israeli Ma’ayan Davidovich (photo credit: PABLO LANZA/ISRAEL SAILING ASSOCIATION)
Israeli Ma’ayan Davidovich
(photo credit: PABLO LANZA/ISRAEL SAILING ASSOCIATION)
Ma’ayan Davidovich claimed her second straight bronze medal at the ISAF Sailing World Championships on Friday, finishing the windsurfing RS:X competition in third place in Santander, Spain.
The 26-year-old ended Friday’s medal race in seventh place and missed out on the silver on a tie-breaker after entering the final day of competition in second position overall.
Charline Picon of France comfortably won the gold medal, while Davidovich finished tied on 67 points with Marina Alabau. However, the Spaniard edged her for second position after ending the medal race one place ahead of the Israeli.
“I’m disappointed at failing to finish in second place, but after a complicated season with many changes I’m happy that I managed to regain my top form and emulate my achievement from last year,”
Davidovich said. “My training under new coach Yogev Yosef is going really well and of course I am focused on reaching Rio 2016.”
By virtue of finishing in third place, Davidovich secured a spot for an Israeli windsurfer in the women’s competition at the Rio Olympics.
However, Davidovich still has a long way to go before she can book her flight to Brazil. Each country can only send a single windsurfer to each Olympic event and Davidovich still faces what is expected to be a tough battle against Lee Korzits for Israel’s lone berth.
Korzits, who has won the world title on four previous occasions, including in 2011, 2012 and 2013, didn’t take part in the championships in Santander, remaining in Israel to work on her fitness as she continues her recovery from illness.
Nimrod Mashiah ended the men’s competition in Santander in 11th place, also guaranteeing a berth for an Israeli male windsurfer in Rio. Mashiah was disappointed with his performance in Spain after finishing the previous five global championships no lower than sixth place, winning three medals. Mashiah’s main rival for the ticket to Brazil is expected to be Shahar Zubari, who didn’t compete in Santander due to injury.