Singaporean world champion kitefoiler Max Maeder wins European title

SINGAPORE: Formula Kite world champion Maximilian Maeder clinched another famous victory on Sunday (Mar 24), this time winning the Formula Kite European Championships in Spain. 

The 17-year-old Singaporean staved off the challenge of France's Axel Mazella and Italy's Riccardo Pianosi, who finished second and third respectively, to recapture the crown he last won two years ago. 

“Just wow. I can’t put it into words. I mean, every time the racing is so exciting and so close and so fun," said Maximilian in a video clip posted by the International Kiteboarding Association on social media.

"How could you not enjoy something like this? And to come up on top, oh it’s so sweet and hats off to all the competitors, they made it very thrilling and it was really hard for me as well so I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did.”

Maxmilian won the same European title in Greece two years ago, but missed last year's edition due to his involvement at the Asian Games. 

His win in Spain on Sunday comes on the back of several other prestigious victories.

Last August, the kitefoiler clinched gold in the men's kite event at the Sailing World Championships in the Netherlands, confirming a quota spot for Singapore at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

His other triumphs last year include his third consecutive title at the Formula Kite Youth World Championships and a gold medal at the Asian Games in China.