SEA Games 2025: After Games success, Max Maeder is ready to go again in 2026

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Max Maeder (right) chats with a young supporter, Ange Chew, 11 as the Singapore sailing contingent arrives at Changi Airport Terminal 2.

ST PHOTO: CHONG JUN LIANG

Joel Chang

Summary

• Maximilian Maeder returned home to Singapore after a dominant SEA Games performance, securing a gold medal with a perfect 16-race sweep in kitefoiling.
• Maeder aims for the 2028 Olympics, focusing on test events and the 2026 World Championships, despite uncertainty about kitefoilings Olympic future.
• Singapore Sailing Federation President Stanley Chan praised Maeders professionalism, and highlighted the teams successful SEA Games campaign.

AI generated

SINGAPORE - With his SEA Games debut done and dusted, and

a shiny gold medal around his neck

Top on his agenda is the Formula Kite World Championships in September, where he will be aiming to reclaim his crown after finishing second to 20-year-old Italian rival Riccardo Pianosi.

For now, the 19-year-old will be soaking in his recent success at the biennial Games, where he had a perfect run of 16 wins in as many races, securing victory on Dec 16 after just 12 races with a day to spare.

Speaking to the press at Changi Airport after returning home on Dec 19 – when he and his teammates were greeted by a crowd of about 60 supporters – the 19-year-old said he