Dror Cohen, Arnon Efrati and Benny Vexler (ISR) arrived at the 2008 Paralympic Sailing Regatta with one intention – to defend the Gold in the Sonar. 

 

They had their secret weapon from Athens with them. ”Gil Yakimov,” said Vexler, “was the difference in winning the Gold. Tough and strict, Yakimov rides them and does not take any excuses. It’s not uncommon for Yakimov to say to his team, “It’s not my problem,” or “Find a way to overcome it.”

 

Cohen and Vexler have been sailing together since 1997 and Efrati had joined them in 2001. The Beijing Paralympics represented their second and third campaigns, and the Israeli Sonar team faced the same issues of many Olympic and Paralympic teams – remaining together for another quadrennium. 

 

After the 2006 Worlds in Perth, Vexler stepped down from the team and family and business became his priorities. The team found a replacement, but asked Vexler to join them for the 2007 IFDS Worlds. He accepted, but cautioned them that he was not going to go to the Paralympics.

 

After finishing 4^th at the 2007 IFDS Worlds and qualifying for the 2008 Paralympics, Cohen had a confidential chat with Vexler. Cohen did not want to go through the next year begging for funding and was considering quitting.

 

When tears started to roll down the 57-year old Efrati’s cheeks during the team meeting that followed that night, Vexler decided that he couldn’t let his teammates down. Vexler decided to shoulder the responsibility of fund raising.

 

Cohen, Efrati and Vexler are all veterans and rely on funding from the Challenge Association, which uses private donations to support outdoor activities such as sailing, carting, skiing and rappelling with wheelchairs. None of their funding comes from the Israeli Defense Forces Association, a worldwide organization that earmarks funding to facilities and programs for disabled veterans, because the funds would conflict with those provided by the Challenge Association.

 

With two Sonars, a coach and one goal, the Israeli team returned to Qingdao. “We are a professional team,” said Vexler. “Our only goal is to come back and win the Gold.”

 

The Israeli team had a lot of ups and a few downs during the 2008 Paralympic Sailing Regatta. Two DSQ’s early in the regatta were their undoing. While the series was long enough to discard the DSQ’s, the rest of their scoreline put them right in the pack of several boats vying for a medal during the last race of the 11-race series. 

 

Following the Trophy and Closing Ceremonies, Vexler pulled me aside and said, “You know, when you asked me who our competition was before the regatta and I gave you a list, I almost called you back to say, ‘It is ourselves.’” How true.