Revenge not on his agenda as Maximilian Maeder overcomes trials to retain European C ships crown

SINGAPORE – Described as a surgeon by his peers, Singapore kitefoiler Maximilian Maeder was able to put aside his emotions and operate with clinical precision to retain his Formula Kite European Championships title on May 19, following an eventful week of racing.

The Paris 2024 Olympic bronze medallist had finished second behind Riccardo Pianosi at the French Olympic Week event in April, but insisted he did not set out to avenge that loss as he beat the 20-year-old Italian in Urla, Turkey.

Maeder told The Straits Times: “This win is less about defending the title or gaining revenge, because as satisfying as it is, it can cloud your judgment sometimes during racing. So, it was a great learning experience that I was able to detach myself from that.

“This surgical precision sometimes eludes me, and I’m very happy and flattered that this compliment is going around and I was able to bring it out today.”

Pianosi had dominated the opening series, winning 11 out of 16 races to qualify for the medal series in first place as the only athlete with one match point – which means he needed to win only one race in the grand final to take gold.

Maeder, meanwhile, met with difficult conditions to reach the medal series in second place and would need to win two races in the grand final to overhaul Pianosi.

In race six of the opening series, a crash ripped off his tracker and tore his wetsuit. He then missed the next race after a line tangle at the start damaged his kite.

The drama continued in the four-man grand final on a “phenomenal day of racing”.

Needing to win to stay in the hunt and prevent Pianosi from claiming the title at the first attempt, both men’s kites touched as