Singapore’s bronze Olympic medallist Max Maeder has returned to the top of the leaderboards after winning the Austrian leg of the IKA KiteFoil World Series on Sunday, 8 September. This marks his first race and victory since the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. Maeder dominated the competition at Lake Traunsee, winning 11 out of 12 races and securing the title with just one more race win in the medal series. Germany’s Florian Gruber, Maeder’s training partner, took silver, while France’s Benoit Domez claimed bronze. Olympic gold medallist Valentin Bontus from Austria also competed but did not make the final.
## Background
On Singapore’s 59th birthday, kite foiler Max Maeder clinched the bronze medal in the men’s kite event at the 2024 Paris Olympics, ending Singapore’s eight-year wait for another Olympic medal since swimmer Joseph Schooling won gold in 2016. This victory brings Singapore’s total Olympic medal tally to six, making Maeder the youngest Olympic medallist in the country’s history.
## Maeder’s performance in Austria
Max Maeder received the perfect birthday present on Sunday, just four days before turning 18. The teenager from Singapore showed no signs of an Olympic hangover as he cruised to victory at the KiteFoil World Series Austria. He saw off competitors like Italy’s world No. 1 Riccardo Pianosi, Austria’s Valentin Bontus, and France’s Axel Mazzella to take home the gold. Maeder’s performance was particularly impressive given the light winds on Lake Traunsee, where he won all six races on the second day of the event.
## Competitors and results
Germany’s Florian Gruber, who trains with Maeder, secured the silver medal, demonstrating the high level of competition between the two. France’s Benoit Domez completed the podium by taking bronze. Despite being an Olympic gold medallist, Austria’s Valentin Bontus did not make it to the final, highlighting the challenging nature of the competition.
## Future implications
Maeder’s recent victories signal a promising future for the young athlete. His consistent performance and ability to dominate in various conditions suggest that he will continue to be a formidable competitor in the kite foiling world. As he approaches his 18th birthday, the sports community will be watching closely to see how he builds on his recent successes and what new heights he can achieve in his career.
