Zubari dominates the fourth and final competition in the internal battle between the bitter rivals and qualified for the Olympics.
By ALLON SINAI
Shahar Zubari will represent Israel in the windsurfing competition at the London Olympics after completing a remarkable comeback to overtake local opponent Nimrod Mashiah.Mashiah entered the World Cup event in Medemblik, Netherlands, with a significant 17-point lead over Zubari in the Olympic Committee of Israel’s race for the country’s single berth at the Olympics.However, Zubari dominated the fourth and final competition in the internal battle between the bitter rivals and qualified for the Olympics at the expense of Mashiah after finishing in first in Medemblik while Mashiah could only end the event in eighth place.“I think Nimrod was slightly complacent because he thought he had already booked his place in London,” said Zubari, who is hoping to win a second straight medal at the Olympics after taking a bronze in Beijing four years ago.“For me, reaching the Olympics is only the beginning.I’m aware of the expectations from me and I will do my best. Clearly, I was worried that I might not make it to London. I knew that my only chance was by taking a gold in the World Cup and I did that.”