Israeli girls' sailing team
צילום: רויטרס
Israel at the Olympics - Saturday roundup
Dreams of medal set to sail away as Israeli women's sailing team drops from third to fourth place after 10th event; Australian, Dutch, Brazilian teams currently succeeding them
Israel's hopes for a sailing medal in the 2008 Beijing Olympics took a dive on Saturday as members of the Israeli women's sailing team, Nika Kornitzky and Vered Buskila, surrendered their third place spot in the double-handed dinghy – 470 race.
Kornitzky and Buskila still in the race (Photo: Reuben Shwartz)
Kornitzky and Buskila, who sailed excellently on this, their second Olympic tour, have so far kept their third place overall ranking despite a rocky beginning during the first event.
However the second event began even worse for the pair, and they came in 15th, far from the leaders in the race. This resulted in a drop to fourth place, leaving them with only one race in which to redeem themselves.
Kornitzky and Buskila currently have 62 negative points and are behind the Australian team (with 25 negative points) and the Dutch team (with 42 negative points). The Australian team is already assured of a gold medal, and the Dutch team is set to scoop up the silver or bronze.
The third place spot given up by the Israelis was taken by the Brazilian team, which currently holds 58 negative points, and Kornitzky and Buskila will have to finish at least two spots before this team in order to win a medal. They will also have to watch out for the other teams, as all have a chance for a medal.
