Israel expects medals on the Mediterranean

Greece and Israel share the same stretch of water, and the Israeli sailing team have been told that if they don't win a medal they will be considered failures.

Greece and Israel share the same stretch of water in the Mediterranean, and the Israeli sailing team have been told that if they don't win a medal in Athens they will be considered failures.

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Israel had to wait 40 years for its first Olympic medal. The first delegation from the Jewish state competed in Helsinki in 1952 and the first tangible success came only in Barcelona when two medals were won on the judo mat.

In Athens, the aim is to win the nation's first gold and the sailing squad, which includes former windsurfing world champions Gal Fridman and Lee Korzits, are favourites to deliver.

"I think we can expect to see 10 finalists (in all competitions) and in a realistic scenario we should win about three medals. If one of those is not from our sailors it will be a great disappointment," said Gili Lustig, head of the body which prepares and selects Israel's Olympic team.

The site of the sailing competition at the Agios Kosmas Olympic Centre is well-known to the Israelis who have spent many months preparing there for the August 14-28 regatta.

The venue was used for a dress rehearsal event in 2002 when Fridman finished fourth. Four months later he won the world title in Pattaya, Thailand.

While Fridman, a bronze medallist in 1996, feels comfortable in the waters off Athens, one man really can call it his home patch - Nikos Kaklamanakis, gold medallist in Atlanta.

"I have spent a lot of time in Athens during the past few months in order to get acquainted with the conditions and to make the surroundings as 'friendly' as possible," Fridman said.

SURF BEFORE SCHOOL

Korzits, formerly a 470 yachtswoman, came to windsurfing only by chance after her colleague, Linor Kliger, decided to disband their partnership. It was a difficult time for the young woman who almost decided to turn her back on the sea for good.

"I had considered quitting altogether, I felt I had been dumped and the thoughts that I was not good enough ran through my head constantly, but in the end it made me stronger," she said in a recent interview.

Korzits, 20, grew up in the coastal village of Mikhmoret, some 50 km north of Tel Aviv. Her love for the sea prompted her to give up school at the age of 15.

"When the school bus passed by the sea, we would look out and if the surf was up, we'd get off at the next stop, hitchhike back home, take our boards and head for the beach," she said.

Korzits is the only Israeli woman to win a world championship gold in any sport. Despite her surprise victory at the 2003 world championships, Israel's windsurfing coach Gur Steinberg is playing down his young charge's chances.

"It's typical Israeli arrogance to think that Korzits can win a medal. She doesn't have the experience of a veteran champion and her chances of bringing back a medal from Athens are slim," he said.

Korzits is not so sure. "I just want to enjoy myself and the sea brings out the best in me," she said.