Israeli sailers capture bronze medal at Olympic warmup

Gidi Kliger and Eran Sela prove why they are regarded as one of Israel’s top medal prospects for the 2012 London Games at trials.

By ALLON SINAI
sailing competition 311 (R) (photo credit: REUTERS/Rafael Marchante)
sailing competition 311 (R)
(photo credit: REUTERS/Rafael Marchante)
Gidi Kliger and Eran Sela proved why they are regarded as one of Israel’s top medal prospects for the 2012 London Games on Friday, taking a bronze medal at the 470 Class sailing competition in the official London Olympics Test Event in Weymouth, England.
Kliger and Sela, who won a bronze medal at the European Championships last month, ended Friday’s medal race in Weymouth in seventh position, but managed to hold on to third place in the overall standings after their rivals failed to finish higher than fifth.
“We didn’t get the competition off to the best start, but we sailed superbly in the final races,” Sela said.
“This result is a testament to our ability. We are pleased with this achievement but we will not settle for a bronze medal next year.”
By finishing in the top 10 in Weymouth, which will host the Olympic sailing events next summer, Kliger and Sela also all but secured their place in London by meeting the Israeli criteria set for the 2012 Games.
Israel’s top female team in the 470 Class can also already book its flight to London for next summer after Gil Cohen and Vered Bouskila ended the International Regatta in Weymouth in seventh place, finishing Friday’s medal race in ninth position.
Israel’s windsurfers also competed in Weymouth throughout last week, with Nimrod Mashiah and Lee Korzits finishing the RS:X competition in eighth and seventh place, respectively.
Just like in the Olympics, each country was only allowed to send one windsurfer to Weymouth.
Israel’s bronze medalist from Beijing Shahar Zubari is set to battle with Mashiah for a place in London until next summer, with Ma’ayan Davidovich to challenge Korzits.