In an exhilarating showdown in Urla, Türkiye, Singapore's kitefoiling sensation Maximilian Maeder, just 18 years old, did the unthinkable: he defended his title at the Formula Kite European Championships!

Maeder showcased his skills by clinching victory on the final day, keeping his cool under pressure to outpace Italy's Ricardo Pianosi and secure the coveted open title.

Though Maeder isn't European, his remarkable performance earned him the overall champion title, while Pianosi took home the European championship honors.

Race to Glory: Nail-Biting Finals!

As the races unfolded, Pianosi led the pack in the opening series, ending with 18 nett points and securing a place in the medal showdown. Maeder followed close behind with 40 nett points, also guaranteeing his entry into the final round.

On the climactic final day, Pianosi needed just one more match point to seal his victory. Yet, it was Maeder who rose to the occasion, dominating the competition with two back-to-back wins, ultimately claiming gold!

A Year of Unstoppable Success!

This triumph marks another peak of success for Maeder, who kicked off the year strongly by retaining his title at the Trofeo Princesa Sofia Regatta in Mallorca, finishing ahead of both Pianosi and Austria's Valentin Bontus.

In late April, Maeder earned a silver medal at the French Olympic Week, securing his status as one of the world's top kitefoilers.

Breaking Records and Making History!

Notably, in August of last year, Maeder ended Singapore's eight-year wait for an Olympic medal, earning the title of Singapore's youngest Olympian to medal, adding immense pride to his nation.

After his bronze at the French event, he exploded into form, winning four consecutive titles, including prestigious series in Austria, China, and Italy, culminating in his latest European Championships victory.

Ryan Lo Shines Too!

In another remarkable display of skill, Maeder's fellow Singaporean, Ryan Lo, accomplished a noteworthy feat at the ILCA 7 Men's World Championships in Qingdao, China, finishing 14th in a fleet of 138 sailors—the highest ever for an Asian at these championships.