Windsurfing: Zubari still sits in first after Day 2

22-year-old claims third straight victory in first race of the day at European Championships, but only manages 12th-place finish in second event.

By ALLON SINAI
Tzuberi 224.88 (photo credit: )
Tzuberi 224.88
(photo credit: )
Shahar Zubari continues to lead the field at the European windsurfing Championships in Tel Aviv after finishing in first and 12th place, respectively, in Monday's two races. The 22-year-old claimed his third straight victory in the competition in the first race of the day, but struggled at the start of the second race and after colliding with Frenchman Alexandre Guyader, who won the race, only managed a 12th-place finish. "I started the fourth race of the contest poorly and as well as crashing with Guyader I also made some tactical mistakes," said Zubari. "The conditions are quite difficult and it's very tough to overtake your opponents." Despite the disappointment, Zubari still holds a two-point lead over Julien Bontemps at the top of the standings, with Joao Rodrigues a further six points back. Israel's Nimrod Mashiah climbed 10 places to 10th position overall on Monday after finishing in seventh and third place, respectively, in the day's events. In the women's competition, Ma'ayan Davidovich fell from first to fourth overall. The 21-year-old finished Monday's first race in second place, but only came 10th in the second race of the day. Blanca Manchon, who won the fourth race of the competition, ended the day as the overall leader with 10 points, with Bryony Shaw of Great Britain, who won the first race on Monday, in second position with 13 points. Two-time defending champion Marina Alabau is in third place with 15 points, with Davidovich a further point back. "I had a tough day," Davidovich said. "The first race went very well, but I made some mistakes in the second race and I paid the price."