Daniella Peleg Crowned Israeli iQFOiL Windsurfing Champion
Daniella Peleg claimed her first senior Israeli iQFOiL windsurfing title at Michmoret, edging out world champion Tamar Steinberg and Olympic medalist Sharon Kantor.
Daniella Peleg of Hapoel Sdot Yam captured her maiden senior national title on Saturday at the Israeli Women's iQFOiL Windsurfing Championship, held at the Michmoret Sailing Club. Tamar Steinberg, the reigning world and European champion, finished second, while Paris Olympic silver medalist Sharon Kantor of the Emek Hefer Michmoret Sailing Club claimed the bronze medal.
The final day of competition began with light winds as the athletes took to the water for four decisive races. However, a forecasted thunderstorm carrying lightning rolled in, forcing the cancellation of the remaining heats and locking in the final standings based on Friday's results.
Peleg proved the most consistent competitor on the water, winning two of her five races and finishing in the top three in four of them. Behind her, the leaderboard shifted dramatically as Steinberg opened strong with a victory in the second race, 2023 world champion Shahar Tibi of the Eilat Maritime Sport Center took the third, and Kantor surged late to win the final heat. Steinberg finished just a single point behind Peleg, while Tibi rounded out the top four, ending Steinberg's three-year reign as national champion.
"This is my first senior Israeli championship title. Although we only completed one day of racing, I am thrilled I came and managed to show a high level and ultimately win the competition," Peleg said after the event. "The collaboration with the 'One in Nine' association for early detection of breast cancer is deeply moving, and it is personally very important to me to promote such values through sports."
The championship served as the culminating event for breast cancer awareness month in partnership with the 'One in Nine' organization. Throughout the tournament, competitors sailed with pink ribbon emblems on their sails to highlight the importance of early detection. Tali Rozin, CEO of the association, praised the athletes for using their platform to champion health awareness and advocate for life-saving screenings.
