Cadiz, Spain was the scene of Lee Korsitz’s gold-medal-winning performance in the International Mistral Class Organization (IMCO) World Sailing Championships, which concluded yesterday (Sunday). Korsitz, 19, took home the gold medal in the women’s competition, making her the first woman representing Israel to win an international championship. In so doing, the Israeli athlete, called a “heavy wind specialist” by the International Windsurfing Association, also saw to it that Israel qualified for the 2004 Olympic Games in the sailing category. All this, and she only started competing internationally eighteen months ago.

“My dream was to hear my national anthem,” Korsitz was quoted as saying after her impressive achievement.



In the men’s IMCO championships, Israeli sailing star and previous World Champion Gal Friedman won the bronze medal.



Also making a splash, Israeli athletes and past European champions Udi Gal and Gideon Kliger are in fourth place in the 470 class competition.