SINGAPORE – A Historic Achievement

In a landmark moment for Singaporean sports, Maximilian Maeder has etched his name in history as the first Singaporean recipient of the male Young World Sailor of the Year award. This prestigious honor was presented to him by Minister for Culture, Community and Youth, Edwin Tong, during the World Sailing Awards held at Chijmes Hall on November 5.

A Champion's Year

Dressed elegantly in a black suit, white shirt, and silver tie, the 18-year-old kitefoiler capped off a phenomenal year that saw him clinching an Olympic bronze medal at the Paris 2024 Games along with nine other impressive titles, including victories at the World, European, and Asian championships.

Emotional Acceptance Speech

In an emotional acceptance speech, Maeder expressed deep gratitude to everyone who contributed to his success, saying, “It’s like pouring gasoline on a fire; it invigorates me, it inspires me to share, to bring joy, to connect, and to make a positive impact. I’m phenomenally happy and grateful that World Sailing is promoting youth in sailing.”

Facing Strong Competition

Facing strong competition from the likes of Italy’s mixed dinghy world youth champion Vittorio Bonifacio, Australia’s iQFoil Olympic silver medallist Grae Morris, and Denmark’s Magnus Overbeck, who won the SailGP Inspire season, Maeder’s triumph is a testament to his hard work and dedication.

Young World Sailor of the Year Awards

The Young World Sailor of the Year awards are a relatively new initiative within the World Sailing Awards program, which has been celebrating the sport's up-and-coming talents since 1994. Alongside Maeder, Poland’s Ewa Lewandowska was honored as the female Young World Sailor of the Year.

Prominent Accolades

Other prominent accolades included Spain’s Diego Botin and Florian Trittel winning the male World Sailor of the Year award, while Dutch gold medallist Marit Bouwmeester earned the female title. Italy’s Ruggero Tita and Caterina Banti were recognized as Team of the Year.

Public Voting and Expert Panels

Interestingly, public voting played a significant role in the final decision, accounting for 50% of the total tally, with the remainder determined by expert panels.

Future Aspirations

Looking ahead, Maeder shared that he has postponed his national service until August 31, 2028, allowing him to focus fully on training for the gold medal at the upcoming Los Angeles Olympics in less than four years. He admitted feeling no pressure, viewing the awards as a celebration rather than a competition, but was thrilled to win on home soil.

A Promise to the Community

In a fun twist, Maeder had previously promised that if he won the Young World Sailor of the Year award, he would spend a day working at a curry puff stall. True to his word, he will be serving up these delicious treats at Soon Soon Huat in East Coast on November 7. “I’m a man of my word... I’ll be there as early as I can, and as long as I can. They have some very, very good curry puffs,” he said, showcasing his commitment not only to sport but also to his community.

Stay Tuned!

Stay tuned as Maeder prepares for a training camp in Perth mid-November, and don’t miss your chance to taste some of those irresistible curry puffs and cheer on this rising star!