Tamar Steinberg and Dan Kaufman won the Israeli windsurfing championship on Saturday. Steinberg and Kaufman each won the final, leaving behind the top men and women's teams. The championship took place over the last four days at the Mikhmoret Emek Hefer sailing club.
The Israel Sailing Association held the Israeli surfing championships while joining the effort to return the hostages held in Gaza since October 7. All the competitors skied with yellow ribbons and a yellow chair was placed at the podium, which remained empty, to symbolize the wait for the hostages to return home. Behind the podium hung a poster with pictures of the abductees.
Israeli Windsurfing Championships, photo: Eitan Kathali
Steinberg said: "I was very stable in the competition, but in the end everything reset and I knew that basically everything was open and I had to win. Glad I succeeded. But beyond sports, for me this competition has additional meaning because of the situation. I stood on the podium with pictures of the abductees behind me, knowing that there were things beyond my personal achievement. We want to see them at home."
Kaufman: "It was above expectations, that's for sure. This is the first time I've participated in final cruises in the new format. It was very emotional for me to compete in the shadow of the war. As athletes, it is our right and duty to show that the State of Israel does not bow its head and move forward despite the situation. I want to say a big thank you to Gal and Oded (Oded Osher, assistant coach) and Arie Reiner, our fitness coach, for the constant pushing."
At the Kate Foyle Championships, Dor Zarka won the gold medal after a competition in which he showed absolute dominance. The silver medal was won by Yuval Botzer and the bronze by Carmel Avisar. The team's two skiers, Dvir Azoulay and Zohar Haruvi, were injured and did not compete in the championship. The women's event was won by Gal Zuckerman.
Shai Buber, Chairman of the Sailing Association: "Like the entire State of Israel, on the seventh of October our lives were turned upside down. The sailing association supports the residents of Zikim and Netiv Ha'enrich, who stay with us in Sdot Yam, and strengthens the IDF soldiers and security forces. It is not self-evident that we manage to hold the Israeli championships and continue to train during this period, but apart from winning and bringing medals, we take advantage of the exposure of our teams in Israel and around the world in order to keep the issue of abductees in Gaza aware. It's time to bring them home."
Tamar Steinberg during the championship, photo: Eitan Kathali
17:00 - Yesh Atid: Danielle Burns wins Tennis Europe tournament in Spain
A great achievement for Danielle Burns, who won on Saturday a European tennis tournament held at the Rafael Nadal Academy in Mallorca to which the top 12-year-old players in Europe were invited.
Danielle finished the group stage of the tournament in first place, then beat a player from Germany in the quarterfinals, yesterday in the semifinals over a player from Latvia and today in the final she beat Megan Knight of Great Britain 5-7 7-6 10:12.
Association Chairman Avi Peretz: "A little joy in the dark days we are experiencing. We followed all the days of the competition with pressure and tension. This is the strongest competition in Europe, concluding the year of activity with the most prominent players. Danielle represented us with honor with this singles win and reaching the doubles final. Congratulations to the entire Burns family for their trust and endless investment, without their shell this would not have happened."
Daniel Burns, Photo: Tennis Association
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