'I don't think about what's happened in the past': Singapore's Max Maeder is all about consistency amid change

SINGAPORE: It has been almost four years since the world's top-ranked kitefoiler missed out on the podium at an official competition.

That's a whopping 30 events, according to statistics from the World Sailing Federation.

It goes to show that while some things may have changed since his Olympics bronze in August, Singapore's Maximilian Maeder has remained one of the sport's top athletes.

After his historic achievement off the coast of Marseille, Maeder went on to win four consecutive titles, taking the Austrian leg of the KiteFoil World Series, the 2024 Formula Kite Asian Championships, the Italian leg of the Kitefoil World Series and the Formula Youth European Championships.

He then started 2025 by retaining his title at Trofeo Princesa Sofia Regatta, and took silver at the French Olympic Week event.

Last month, he successfully defended his Formula Kite European Championships open title.

In an interview with CNA on Saturday (Jun 7), the 18-year-old spoke about how he has matured since the Olympics.

"I think I have changed after the Games, but not exclusively because of the Games," said Maeder.

"(That change) is a level of maturity, a level of acceptance because it's a little naive to think with a certain amount of effort or with the effort that you feel comfortable putting in, that you can get results that you're comfortable with."

Understanding that effort does not always equate to results means that unfavourable outcomes no longer weigh on Maeder as much as it did before.

"I'm still nervous, I'm still anxious, I'm still eager to compete. However, it doesn't crush me on the same level it does before," he said.

"It doesn't mean I'm less competitive, it doesn't mean I'm less eager ... It's unnecessary to get upset or get frustrated