Israel’s boom in surfing has made the sport almost as popular as soccer, and is putting some young competitors on the path to the 2020 Olympic Games.
Israel's Yoav Omer and Noy Drihan did not have an opportunity to defend their titles at the youth windsurfing World Championships in Langkawi, Malaysia, late last year.
Ma’ayan Davidovich is Israel’s only realistic medal hope in the women’s event.
At just 29 years of age, the Israeli windsurfer has won an Olympic medal, a world championship medal and has twice been crowned as European champion .
The sport’s governing body said that it “deeply regrets” that Israel’s representatives were unable to compete “due to the conditions imposed by the Malaysian authorities.”
Possible sanctions include: non-selection as a future venue, denial of appointment of World Sailing race officials to future regattas in the country.
World Sailing's Executive Committee met last Friday to discuss the "recent unacceptable events at the just concluded Youth World Sailing Championship."
The 26-year-old finishes European windsurfing Championships in Brest, France, with first major medal in three year.
Ma’ayan Davidovich joins Lee Korzits on the podium at the windsurfing World Championships with bronze medal.
Lee Korzits secures third straight windsurfing world title at World Championships in Buzios, Brazil.