VIDEO / Israel pins Olympic hopes on windsurfer Zubari as other Israeli athletes knocked out

Israeli riflemen Gil Simkovitch and Guy Starik failed to qualify for the final of the men's shooting event at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing on Friday morning, and were knocked out of the competition.

The pair competed in the 50m prone event, where they ranked out of the top eight spots and therefore failed to reach the finals. Veteran rifleman Starik finished 12th in the competition, with a total of 594 points out of a possible 600. Simkovitch finished 22nd with a total of 592 points.

Meanwhile, all sailing events were postponed Friday due to lack of wind, and are to resume Saturday. To recount, windsurfer Shahar Zubari maintains a comfortable lead at the end of four races. Zubari ranked first in one race and third in another, and appears to be the Israeli delegation's only real shot at an Olympic medal.

Vered Buskila and Nika Kornitzky are within touching distance of a medal in the women's 470 event. They currently sit fourth in the overall rankings after finishing eighth in the fifth round and 19th in the sixth round.

Despite being considered the most likely Israelis to take home sailing gold at the beginning of the Olympics, duo Udi Gal and Gidi Kliger continue to disappoint in the 470 event and have lost any hope of a medal.