Lee Korzits
Quick Facts
Biography
Lee (Lee-El) Korzits (Hebrew: לי (לִי-אֵל) קורזיץ), born 25 March 1984, is an Israeli windsurfer who has won four Windsurfing World Championships titles. She competed in the 2004 Olympics, finishing in thirteenth, and at the 2012 Olympics, finishing sixth.
Biography
Korzits is Jewish, and was born in Hofit, Israel.
Winning her first world title at the age of 19, Korzits made history by becoming the first female Israeli world champion in any sport, and the youngest surfer ever to win the world title. After finishing in a disappointing 13th position at the 2004 Athens Olympic Games, Korzits suffered from a string of serious injuries which kept her from competing with the world's top surfers, and she eventually lost her spot on the Israeli Olympic team for the Beijing 2008 games to teammate Ma'ayan Davidovich. In April 2005, while surfing in Hawaii, Korzits was severely injured after being hit by another surfer. The surfboard collided into her back, breaking 2 of her ribs. At first the doctors thought that irreversible damage was caused to her spine, and told her they doubted whether or not she would be able to sail professionally again. She later returned to Israel for rehabilitation and made a full recovery. She returned to sailing in 2010, claiming that the injury had motivated her to do what she loves most. In the summer of 2011 she won a silver medal at the European Championship, her first medal in a major competition since her world title in 2003. Her success continued at the 2011 ISAF Sailing World Championships, winning her second world title. By winning the world title she made history once again, becoming the first Israeli, male or female, to win two world titles at any sport. A few months later she added her third world title at the 2012 RS:X World Championships.
Achievements
Year | Competition | Venue | Position | Event | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2003 | World Championships | Cadiz | 1st | Mistral | |
2004 | Olympic Games | Athens | 13th | Mistral | |
2011 | European Championships | Burgas | 2nd | RS:X | |
2011 | World Championships | Perth | 1st | RS:X | |
2012 | World Championships | Cadiz | 1st | RS:X | |
2012 | Olympic Games | London | 6th | RS:X | |
2013 | World Championships | Buzios | 1st | RS:X |