Israeli windsurfer Tamar Steinberg wins gold at world championship
Steinberg says she hopes victory ‘lifts the national mood’; fellow Israeli Sharon Kantor takes home bronze medal, as Israel continues dominance at global windsurfing competitions
Israeli windsurfer Tamar Steinberg on Friday won the gold medal at the World Cup in Hyeres, France.
It marked the second gold medal in a row for Steinberg, who won first place at a competition in Cadiz, Spain, last month.
Sharon Kantor, also an Israeli competitor, won bronze at the competition.
The final day of the competition was marred by heavy winds, leading organizers to cancel the quarter and semi-final rounds, opting for one single final round, which included Steinberg, Kantor and fellow Israeli Shahar Tibi.
In a close race, Steinberg and Kantor both finished on the podium, with Chinese surfer Zheng Yan finishing in second place, taking home the silver medal.
“There were really varied conditions throughout the competition with the medal race in such light winds after a few days of crazy winds,” Steinberg told the media, as reported by the Ynet news site. “I feel confident today in my ability to withstand the different conditions and it gives me a lot of confidence.”
בפעם השניה ברציפות: תמר שטיינברג זוכה בזהב בגביע העולם בגלישת רוח@YoavBorowitz
(צילום: sailing energy) pic.twitter.com/Ernc7POq4s— כאן חדשות (@kann_news) April 25, 2025
“After this week in Israel, it’s really meaningful for me to sing the anthem on the podium tomorrow,” she added, likely referencing Israel’s Holocaust Remembrance Day, which was held on Thursday. “It’s always exciting and I hope it gives a little pride and lifts the national mood.”
Steinberg and Kantor’s podium finishes in Friday’s race continues Israel’s dominance in global windsurfing competitions, coming less than a year after Israeli sailors won two medals at the 2024 Paris games.
Kantor took home a silver medal in the Women’s IQ-foil event, and fellow Israeli Tom Reuveny won gold in the men’s event, taking home Israel’s sole gold medal from the Paris Olympics.
The Times of Israel Community.