Kfir Nov Wins European Under-19 iQFOiL Windsurfing Title in Greece

Israel’s Kfir Nov won the men’s under-19 iQFOiL title at the European Youth and Junior Championships in Varkiza, Greece, on Saturday, October 31. The Michmoret Sailing Club windsurfer beat 94 other competitors to secure his first international medal. Nov finished the week’s 16 qualifying races in third place with 54 points, earning direct passage to the semifinal. He then finished second behind Canada’s Valentino Blewett to reach the Grand Final. Turkey’s Artun Şenol and Poland’s Leon Jankowski, the qualifying leaders, entered the final with a victory credit each and needed one race win for gold. Nov needed two victories. Nov won the first final race and Blewett took the second, leaving all four finalists one victory away from the title. Nov led the deciding race from its early stages. Şenol challenged near the finish but fell from his board, and Nov crossed first. Israeli Sailing Association chairman Shay Buber said, “Congratulations to Kfir on an amazing championship.” Nov thanked his supporters and expressed pride in representing Israel internationally. Naama Palatnik of Haifa finished fifth in the under-19 women’s competition, while Alba Klein of Sdot Yam placed seventh. The Varkiza championship was also the final selection competition for Israel’s representatives at the World Sailing Youth World Championships in Portugal in December. Nov and Palatnik earned the most points across the selection events and secured their places at that championship.