Maximilian Maeder

Maximilian Maeder (born 12 September 2006) is a kitesurfer from Singapore. He is the reigning Formula Kite World, Asiad and European champion and holds the distinction of being the youngest winner in any Olympic sailing class competition, achieving this remarkable feat at the age of 16. Maeder is also a three-time Formula Kite youth world champion in consecutive years from 2021 to 2023 and won various open championships across Europe, Asia and Pan America.

Early life
Maeder was born in Singapore to a family with mixed heritage. His father, Valentin Maeder, is Swiss, and his mother, Teng Hwee Keng, is Singaporean. He is the eldest among his siblings and has two younger brothers. At the age of six, his father introduced him to kiteboarding. When he was 10, his father encouraged him to venture into kitefoiling, a more advanced form of the sport. By the age of 11, Maeder had already competed in his first competitive pro racing.

2018–2021: Early career and World #1
Maeder's achievements began when he won his first competitive tournament in the Formula Kite Asian Championships in 2018. He later emerged victorious at various tournaments such as the 2021 Formula Kite Youth World Championships (U19), Formula Kite Individual European Championships, Youth Sailing World Championships and KiteFoil World Series. He also took part in his first Formula Kite World Championships in the same year, where he finished fifth. On 20 September 2021, Maeder achieved his highest IKA - Formula Kite men's ranking of World No.1.

2022: World Championships silver
In 2022, success continued to follow with his second Formula Kite Youth World Championships (U21), Youth Sailing World Championships and Formula Kite Individual European Championships titles, as well his first Formula Kite Asia-Pacific Championships, Formula Kite Pan American Championships and Semaine Olympique Francaise De Voile victories. In his second appearance at the Formula Kite World Championships, he finished as runner-up to Slovenia's Toni Vodisek.

2023: World and Asiad Champions
In 2023, Maeder began his new season by winning the World Cup Series held on the Spanish island of Mallorca. In July, he achieved a significant milestone by capturing his third consecutive Formula Kite Youth World Championships victory. Additionally, in August, Maeder also secured his first Formula Kite World Championships title. This accomplishment came as he defeated his rival, Toni Vodisek, and set a new record as the youngest winner in any Olympic sailing class competition, all at the age of 16. Maeder good form continued at the delayed 2022 Asian Games where he won Singapore's first gold medal at the quadrennial games. He finished the season strongly by winning the KiteFoil World Series and clinching his third Youth Sailing World Championships title.

2024: Consecutive World title
Maeder, who was ranked 6th in the world at the time, opened the 2024 season by winning the European Championships. He followed this success with victories at the World Cup Series and the Semaine Olympique Française De Voile. In May, he claimed his second Formula Kite World Championships title by overcoming Italy’s Riccardo Pianosi, the world’s top-ranked Formula Kite men’s sailor, who finished in second place ahead of Austria’s Valentin Bontus.

Personal life
In addition to his native English, Maeder is also a fluent speaker of Mandarin, German and French.

Awards and nominations
Maeder was nominated for the following lists and awards :
 * Nominated for The Straits Times' Athlete of the Year 2021
 * Nominated for The Straits Times' Athlete of the Year 2022
 * Won the SNOC Sportsboy of the Year 2022
 * Won the SNOC Sportsboy of the Year 2023
 * Nominated for Rolex World Sailor of the Year 2023
 * Won the SNOC Sportsboy of the Year 2024