Shahar Tibi competing in the finals of the iQFOiL category of women’s windsurfing at the 2023 Sailing World Championships. Photo: Twitter video screenshot

Female Israeli athletes took home the gold and silver medals in the iQFoiL category of women’s windsurfing at the 2023 Sailing World Championships in the Netherlands on Saturday.

Shahar Tibi, 25, became the new world champion by winning the gold, which is Israel’s first world title in the competition in 10 years, while Katy Spychakov, 24, came in second place. Both athletes previously competed in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, where Tibi came in eighth place and Spychakov came in sixth.

Israel take a 1-2 in the Women’s iQFOiL ?? Shahar Tibi is a Sailing World Champion ?? #GetReadyForTheBest | #AllianzSWC23TheHague pic.twitter.com/BZ3GEaISFB

— World Sailing ?⛵️ (@worldsailing) August 19, 2023

“I can’t explain what I am feeling and I can’t be happier about what we achieved,” Tibi told reporters after the competition in the Netherlands. “This was a physically hard day and week. I wasn’t able to get to the podium last year and this time is my first time, so I’m very excited. Thanks to everyone at home, to the sailing association, to the national team, to my parents and family. Thanks to everyone. I have no words.”

Tibi also said she was dedicating her win to Israeli windsurfer and four-time world title holder Lee Korzits, who is currently battling a blood cancer called Polycythemia vera.

“Ten years have passed since she won her fourth and last world title,” Tibi said of Korzits, who won world titles in 2003, 2011, 2012, and 2013. “I was there with her as a 15-year-old teenager. Korzits is fighting for her life and inspired me and many others.”