Max Maeder

{{short description|Singaporean kitefoiler (born 2006)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=February 2025}}

{{Infobox sportsperson | name = Maximilian Maeder | image = File:Max Maeder at sponsor's meet and greet event in August, 2024.jpg | image_size = | caption = Maeder in 2024 | birth_date = {{birth date and age|2006|09|12|df=y}} | birth_place = Singapore | height = 1.80 m<ref name="fwip">{{cite web |title=Maximilian Maeder - Forward Wip |url=https://www.forward-wip.com/team/maximilian-maeder/ |website=Forward Wip |access-date=25 August 2023}}</ref> | weight = 91 kg<ref name="fwip" /> | country = Singapore | rank = 1 (3 September 2024) | event = Men's Kite | coach = John Dolenc | medaltemplates = {{MedalSport | Men's Formula Kite }} {{MedalCountry | {{SGP}} }} {{MedalCount | total = yes | Olympic Games | - | – | 1 | World Championships | 2 | 1 | – | Asian Games | 1 | - | – | European Championships | 2 | - | - | Asian Championships | 4 | 1 | - | SEA Games | 1 | - | - | Youth Sailing World Championships | 3 | - | - | Youth World Championships | 4 | - | - | KiteFoil World Series | 5 | 1 | - | }} {{MedalCompetition | Olympic Games }} {{MedalBronze | 2024 Paris | Formula Kite}} {{MedalCompetition | World Championships }} {{MedalGold | 2024 Hyères | Formula Kite<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.formulakite.org/2024worlds | title=2024 Worlds }}</ref>}} {{MedalGold | 2023 The Hague | Formula Kite<ref>{{cite web | url=https://thehague2023.sailing.org/results-centre/ | title=Allianz Sailing World Championships, the Hague 2023 - Results Centre }}</ref>}} {{MedalSilver | 2022 Cagliari | Formula Kite<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.formulakite.org/2022worlds | title=2022Worlds }}</ref>}} {{MedalCompetition | Asian Games }} {{MedalGold | 2022 Hangzhou | Formula Kite}} {{MedalCompetition | European Championships}} {{MedalGold | 2022 Nafpaktos | Open}} {{MedalGold | 2021 Montpellier | Open}} {{MedalCompetition | Asian Championships}} {{MedalGold | 2024 Daishan | Open}} {{MedalSilver | 2023 Shenzhen | Open<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.sail-world.com/news/269195/2023-Formula-Kite-Asia-and-Oceania-Championships | title=2023 Formula Kite Asia & Oceania Championships - Two big wins for China }}</ref>}} {{MedalGold | 2022 Pattaya | Open<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.sail-world.com/news/247223/Formula-Kite-NFDS-Asia-Pacific-Championships | title=2022 Formula Kite NFDS Asia Pacific Championships - Watch out world, Asia is coming }}</ref>}} {{MedalGold | 2019 Beihai | Asian<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.sail-world.com/news/218006/Formula-Kite-Asian-Championships-overall | title=2019 Formula Kite Asian Championships in Beihai - Overall }}</ref>}} {{MedalGold | 2018 Zhuhai | Asian}} {{MedalCompetition | Pan American Championships}} {{MedalGold | 2022 São Luís | Open<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.formulakite.org/2022panamericans | title=2022 Pan Americans }}</ref>}} {{MedalCompetition | SEA Games }} {{MedalGold | 2025 Thailand | Formula Kite}} {{MedalCompetition | Youth Sailing World Championships }} {{MedalGold | 2023 Búzois | Formula Kite<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.sail-world.com/news/269827/2023-Youth-Sailing-Worlds-overall | title=2023 Youth Sailing World Championships at Buzios, Brazil - Overall }}</ref>}} {{MedalGold | 2022 The Hague | Formula Kite<ref>{{cite web | url=https://sailing-news.com/news/en/permanent/55985/1-55982-1-0-world-sailing-youth-world-championship-2022-den-haag-ned-day-4.html | title=Sailing News - World Sailing Youth World Championship 2022 - den Haag NED - Final results }}</ref>}} {{MedalGold | 2021 Mussanah | Formula Kite<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.sail-world.com/news/244895/Youth-Sailing-Worlds-in-Oman-overall | title=50th Youth Sailing World Championships presented by Hempel in Oman - Overall }}</ref>}} {{MedalCompetition | IKA Youth World Championships }} {{MedalGold | 2023 Hang Loose | U21 & U19<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.formulakite.org/2023youthworlds | title=2023 Youth Worlds }}</ref>}} {{MedalGold | 2022 Torregrande | U21<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.formulakite.org/2022YouthWorlds | title=2022YouthWorlds }}</ref>}} {{MedalGold | 2021 Hang Loose | U19<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/kiteclasses/51328414334/in/album-72157719575048834 | title=Gmit4216 | date=18 July 2021 }}</ref>}} {{MedalGold | 2019 Pascucci | U19<ref>{{cite web | url=https://flysurfer.com/2019/05/formula-kite-world-championships-2019-italy/ | title=Formula Kite World Championships 2019, Italy | date=14 May 2019 }}</ref>}} {{MedalCompetition | KiteFoil World Series }} {{MedalGold | 2024 Traunsee|Formula Kite}} {{MedalGold | 2023 Zhuhai |Formula Kite<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.sail-world.com/news/269422/KiteFoil-World-Series-Final-in-Zhuhai-overall | title=2023 KiteFoil World Series Final in Zhuhai - Overall }}</ref>}} {{MedalGold | 2023 Cagliari |Formula Kite<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.sail-world.com/news/267775/Kitefoil-World-Series-Italy-overall | title=2023 Kitefoil World Series Italy - Overall }}</ref>}} {{MedalGold | 2023 Traunsee|Formula Kite<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.sail-world.com/news/267566/2023-KiteFoil-World-Series-Austria-overall | title=2023 KiteFoil World Series Austria: Overall }}</ref>}} {{MedalSilver | 2022 Traunsee | Formula Kite<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.sail-world.com/news/250512/KiteFoil-World-Series-Traunsee-overall | title=2022 KiteFoil World Series Traunsee - Overall }}</ref>}} {{MedalGold | 2021 Fuerteventura | Formula Kite<ref>{{cite web | url=https://kitefoilworldseries.com/events/results/2021-season/2021-act-4-fuerteventura | title=Act 4: Fuerteventura }}</ref>}} | show-medals = yes }}

'''Maximilian Maeder'''{{efn|His name is sometimes transliterated to 墨士廉 (pinyin: Mò Shìlián) in Singapore's Chinese-language media.<ref name="moshilian">{{Cite news |title=墨士廉外公: 让他先尽情跟大家分享快乐 我们会在家等着他 |trans-title=Max Maeder's grandfather: Let him share his happiness with everyone first, we will wait for him at home|url=https://www.zaobao.com.sg/news/sports/story20240813-4477046 |publisher=Lianhe Zaobao |first1=Qianxue|last1=Zhang|first2=Ken|last2=Low|date=13 August 2024|access-date=15 August 2024}}</ref>}} {{post-nominals|list=OLY}} (born 12 September 2006) is a Singaporean Formula Kite professional athlete.<ref name="maxmaeder">{{cite web |url=https://www.sailing.org/sailor/maximilian-maeder?ref=SGPMM1 |title=Maximilian Maeder Sailing.Org Profile |publisher=World Sailing |access-date=24 August 2023}}</ref> He is the reigning Formula Kite World, Asiad, Asian and European champion. He holds the distinction of being the youngest winner in any Olympic sailing class competition, achieving this at the age of 16.<ref name="asiadgold" />

Maeder competed at the 2024 Summer Olympics in the inaugural Men's Formula Kite event, where he reached the finals and won the bronze medal, becoming the country's second native-born Olympic medalist.<ref name="youngestever">{{cite web |url=https://thehague2023.sailing.org/2023/08/20/max-maeder-an-athlete-for-four-seasons/ |title=Max Maeder: An athlete for four seasons |publisher=World Sailing |access-date=24 August 2023}}</ref> Maeder is also a three-time youth world sailing champion in consecutive years from 2021 to 2023<ref>{{cite web |title=16-year-old Singapore kitefoiler Maximilian Maeder crowned world champion |url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/sport/maximilian-maeder-16-year-old-singapore-kitefoiler-crowned-world-champion-3710336 |publisher=Channel NewsAsia|date=19 August 2023|access-date=24 August 2023}}</ref> and won various open championships across Europe, Asia and Pan America.<ref name="results">{{cite web |url=https://www.sailing.org/sailor/SGPMM1?ref=SGPMM1#Results |title=Results |publisher=World Sailing |access-date=24 August 2023}}</ref> Since the 2021 European Championships, he has consistently secured podium finishes in every competition he has entered.

== Early life == Maeder was born in Singapore to a family with mixed Eurasian heritage. His father, Valentin Maeder, is a Swiss German and his mother, Hwee Keng (née Teng) Maeder, is Singaporean Chinese.<ref name="family">{{cite web |title=Raising Independent Children |url=https://www.activesgcircle.gov.sg/activeparents/stories/ap/raising-independent-children |website=ActiveSG Circle |access-date=24 August 2023}}</ref> He is the oldest among his siblings and has two younger brothers.<ref name="family" /> At the age of six, his father introduced him to kiteboarding before encouraging him to venture into kitefoiling, a more advanced form of the sport, when he was 10.<ref name="fluency" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Ma |first=Sylvia |date=8 August 2024 |title=Paris Olympics: meet Max Maeder, the kite surfer on verge of Singapore's second gold ever |url=https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3273696/paris-olympics-meet-max-maeder-kite-surfer-verge-singapores-second-gold-ever |access-date=13 August 2024 |website=South China Morning Post}}</ref> By the age of 11, Maeder had already competed in his first competitive pro race.<ref name=":4">{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?si=qUlP7ZbVUSOgNY9x&v=uO3vsq47exc&feature=youtu.be |title=专访亚运冠军墨士廉 (Maximilian Maeder): "我会努力学习中文, 因为妈妈叫我这么做." |date=21 September 2023 |last=zaobaosg |access-date=23 September 2024 |via=YouTube}}</ref><ref name="maxmaeder" />

== Career ==

===2018–2021: Early career and World No.1=== Maeder's achievements began when he won his first competitive tournament in the Formula Kite Asian Championships at Zhuhai in 2018.<ref name="fluency">{{Citation |title=Just 15, Maximilian Maeder could well be Singapore's next Olympic medallist | date=15 May 2022 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bnZoXVkpISQ |work=The Straits Times |access-date=24 August 2023}}</ref> He later emerged victorious at various tournaments such as the 2021 Formula Kite Youth World Championships (U19),<ref>{{Cite web |title=2021 U19 Worlds Results |url=https://www.formulakite.org/component/sppagebuilder/?view=page&id=7 |access-date=24 September 2024 |website=Welcome to the IKA Formula Kite Class |language=en-gb}}</ref> Formula Kite Individual European Championships, Youth Sailing World Championships and KiteFoil World Series.<ref name="results" /> He also took part in his first Formula Kite World Championships in the same year, where he finished fifth.<ref>{{cite web |title=2021 Formula Kite World Championships |url=https://www.formulakite.org/component/sppagebuilder/?view=page&id=10 |website=formulakite.org |access-date=25 August 2023}}</ref> On 20 September 2021, Maeder achieved his highest IKA - Formula Kite men's ranking of World No.1.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.sailing.org/sailor/SGPMM1?ref=SGPMM1#Ranking-History |title=Ranking History |publisher=World Sailing |access-date=25 August 2023}}</ref><ref name="yahoo">{{cite web |title=Kitefoiler Maximilian Maeder earns first sailing spot at Paris Olympics for Singapore |url=https://sg.news.yahoo.com/kitefoiler-maximilian-maeder-sailing-spot-paris-olympics-singapore-044413713.html |publisher=Yahoo! News |date=20 August 2023 |access-date=24 August 2023}}</ref>

===2022: World Championships silver=== In 2022, success continued to follow with his second Formula Kite Youth World Championships (U21), Youth Sailing World Championships and Formula Kite Individual European Championships titles, as well his first Formula Kite Asia-Pacific Championships, Formula Kite Pan American Championships and Semaine Olympique Francaise De Voile victories.<ref name="results" /> In his second appearance at the Formula Kite World Championships, he finished as runner-up to Slovenia's Toni Vodišek.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kwek|first=Kimberly|date=16 October 2022|title=Kitefoiling: Maximilian Maeder wins silver at Formula Kite World Championships |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/kitefoiling-maximilian-maeder-wins-silver-at-formula-kite-world-championships |access-date=25 August 2023|work=The Straits Times}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=First world title for Vodisek, No.6 for Moroz |url=https://www.formulakite.org/news/item/537-first-world-title-for-vodisek-no-6-for-moroz |website=formulakite.org |date=16 October 2022 |access-date=25 August 2023}}</ref>

===2023: World and Asian Champions=== In 2023, Maeder began his new season by winning the World Cup Series held on the Spanish island of Mallorca.<ref>{{cite web |title=Winners all but Trofeo Princesa Sofia goes to Singapore's Formula Kite rider Max Maeder |url=https://www.trofeoprincesasofia.org/en/default/races/race-newsitem/text/52-trofeo-s-a-r-princesa-sofia-mallorca-2023-en/textnews/winners-all-but-trofeo-princesa-sofia-goes-to-singapore%27s-formula-kite-rider-max-maeder-en-3-en/page/0/return/race |website=trofeoprincesasofia.org |date=8 April 2023 |access-date=25 August 2023}}</ref> In July, he achieved a significant milestone by capturing his third consecutive Formula Kite Youth World Championships victory.<ref name="yahoo" /><ref>{{cite web |title=Singapore and France blazing to the top of the [youth] world! |url=https://www.formulakite.org/news/item/551-singapore-and-france-blazing-to-the-top-of-the-youth-world |website=formulakite.org |date=23 July 2023 |access-date=25 August 2023}}</ref> Additionally, in August, Maeder also secured his first Formula Kite World Championships title.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kwek|first=Kimberly|date=20 August 2023|title=Double joy as kitefoiler Maximilian Maeder wins world title, gets Olympic quota spot |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/kitefoiler-maximilian-maeder-scores-olympic-quota-spot-for-singapore |access-date=25 August 2023|work=The Straits Times}}</ref> This accomplishment came as he defeated his rival, Toni Vodišek, and set a new record as the youngest winner in any Olympic sailing class competition, all at the age of 16.<ref name="youngestever" /> Maeder good form continued at the delayed 2022 Asian Games where he won Singapore's first gold medal at the quadrennial games.<ref name="asiadgold">{{cite web |title=Kitefoiler Maximilian Maeder wins Singapore's first gold medal at Asian Games |url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/sport/asian-games-kitefoiler-maximilian-maeder-wins-singapore-first-gold-medal-3801746 |publisher=Channel NewsAsia |date=27 September 2023 |access-date=13 October 2023}}</ref> He finished the season strongly by winning the KiteFoil World Series and clinching his third Youth Sailing World Championships title.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ang|first=Ervin|date=16 December 2023|title=Singapore kitefoiler Maximilian Maeder wraps up successful year with Youth Sailing World Championships title |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/singapore-kitefoiler-maximilian-maeder-wraps-up-successful-year-with-youth-sailing-world-championships-title |access-date=16 December 2023|work=The Straits Times}}</ref>

===2024: Consecutive World title and Olympic debut=== Maeder, who was ranked 6th in the world at the time, opened the 2024 season by winning the European Championships.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Teoh |first=Melvyn |date=24 March 2024 |title=Singaporean sailor Maximilian Maeder wins 2024 Formula Kite European Championships |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/singaporean-sailor-maximilian-maeder-wins-2024-formula-kite-european-championships |access-date=8 June 2024 |work=The Straits Times |language=en}}</ref> He followed this success with victories at the World Cup Series<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ganesan |first=Deepanraj |date=7 April 2024 |title=Singaporean kitefoiler Max Maeder collects wins, and experience, ahead of Olympics |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/singaporean-kitefoiler-max-maeder-collects-wins-and-experience-ahead-of-olympics |access-date=8 June 2024 |work=The Straits Times |language=en}}</ref> and the Semaine Olympique Française De Voile.<ref name="independant">{{Cite web |last=Rifhan |first=Khalis |date=20 May 2024 |title=Max Maeder retains Formula Kite World Championships|url=https://theindependent.sg/max-maeder-retains-formula-kite-world-championships/ |access-date=8 June 2024 |website=The Independent Singapore News |language=en-US}}</ref> In May, he claimed his second Formula Kite World Championships title by overcoming Italy's Riccardo Pianosi, the world's top-ranked Formula Kite men's sailor, who finished in second place ahead of Austria's Valentin Bontus.<ref name="independant" /><ref>{{Cite web |title='An experience to remember': Singapore's Maximilian Maeder hungry for more after second straight world title |url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/maximilian-maeder-world-title-championships-team-singapore-olympics-4347581 |date=20 May 2024 |access-date=8 June 2024 |website=CNA |language=en}}</ref> That same year, Maeder debuted at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, competing in the Men's Formula Kite.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Mohan |first1=Matthew |title=How Olympic medal hope Max Maeder was raised as a 'decision-maker' – who would choose Singapore 'over and over again' |url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/maximilian-maeder-parents-team-singapore-paris-olympics-family-support-4445131 |website=CNA |access-date=2 August 2024 |language=en |date=8 July 2024}}</ref> There, he won a bronze medal on 9 August 2024, Singapore's National Day, becoming the youngest Olympic medalist of Singapore at the age of 17.<ref>{{cite web|title=Kitefoiler Max Maeder clinches Olympic bronze, makes history as Singapore's youngest Games medallist|url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/max-maeder-olympic-medal-bronze-kitefoiling-paris-games-4537696 |website=CNA |date=9 August 2024}}</ref> In September, Maeder returns to competing, finishing first place in KiteFoil World Series Austria<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kampman battles while Maeder cruises to victory in Austria - International Kiteboarding Association |url=https://www.kiteclasses.org/component/content/article/22641-kampman-battles-while-maeder-cruises-to-victory-in-austria?catid=53&Itemid=322 |access-date=22 September 2024 |website=kiteclasses.org}}</ref> and 2024 KiteFoil Asian Championships in Daishan, China.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2024 IKA Asians: Opening Series Concludes Amidst Dramatic Conditions - International Kiteboarding Association |url=https://www.kiteclasses.org/component/content/article/22643-2024-ika-asians-opening-series-concludes-amidst-dramatic-conditions?catid=60&Itemid=322 |access-date=22 September 2024 |website=kiteclasses.org}}</ref>

== Business and industry endorsements == Maeder is endorsed by several kitesurf and water sports gear companies such as Levitaz, WIP and Flysurfer.<ref>{{Cite web |last=CMD |title=Max Maeder |url=https://levitaz.com/team-rider/max-maeder |access-date=23 September 2024 |website=Levitaz |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Maximilian Maeder - Forward Wip |url=https://www.forward-wip.com/team/maximilian-maeder/ |access-date=23 September 2024 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Maximilian Maeder |url=https://flysurfer.com/project/maximilian-maeder/ |access-date=23 September 2024 |website=FLYSURFER |language=en-US}}</ref> In 2024, he also helped the development of his foil and kite with Levitaz and Flysurfer.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Lee |first=David |date=9 September 2024 |title=Olympic kitefoiling medallist Maximilian Maeder back to winning ways in Austria |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/olympic-kitefoil-medallist-maximilian-maeder-back-to-winning-ways-in-austria |access-date=23 September 2024 |work=The Straits Times |language=en |issn=0585-3923}}</ref>

Maeder has represented Singaporean beverage brand, Yeo's (Yeo Hiap Seng), as a brand ambassador since 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Yeo's CMO on partnering with Olympic medallist Max Maeder {{!}} Analysis |url=https://www.campaignasia.com/article/yeos-cmo-on-partnering-with-olympic-medallist-max-maeder/497921 |access-date=23 September 2024 |website=Campaign Asia}}</ref> He has appeared advertisements for the brand, including digital and physical advertisements for the brand's "New Pioneers" campaign prior the olympics in 2024,<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/shorts/gPO1UTtv7vY?si=UZm-0PyzoHZvRYyg |title=🌊 Meet The New Pioneer: @maximilianmaeder - World Kite Foiling Champion and Yeo's Brand Ambassador!🌟 |language=en |access-date=23 September 2024 |via=YouTube}}</ref> as well as a special edition beverage can featuring Maeder.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Special edition H-TWO-O Sparkling isotonic drink |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/C9cJAyyy189/?igsh=cXNodW9ibXQxcWxp |access-date=23 September 2024 |website=instagram.com}}</ref>{{Primary source inline|date=February 2025}} Yeo's also hosted meet & greet sessions for fans of Maeder.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Meet & Greet with Max Maeder |url=https://www.instagram.com/reel/C_UWeIvyrgC/?igsh=MTc5MDg1b2x0Mm51MA== |access-date=23 September 2024 |website=instagram.com}}</ref>{{Primary source inline|date=February 2025}}<ref>{{Cite web |title=Meet our Olympic icon in person |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/C-9k3rrSJeg/?igsh=MTl6bnZxZTU5NWxvOA== |access-date=23 September 2024 |website=instagram.com}}</ref>{{Primary source inline|date=February 2025}} Maeder's partnership with Yeo's aligned with a 3-year-sponsorship agreement with the Ng Teng Fong Charitable Foundation,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Yeo's Annual Report 2022 |url=https://yeos.com.sg/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Yeo-Hiap-Seng-Limited_AR-2022.pdf |website=Yeo Hiap Seng}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Yeo's and Ng Teng Fong Charitable Foundation Enter into 3-year Partnership with World Kitefoiling Champion Maximilian Maeder - PR Newswire APAC |url=https://en.prnasia.com/releases/apac/yeo-s-and-ng-teng-fong-charitable-foundation-enter-into-3-year-partnership-with-world-kitefoiling-champion-maximilian-maeder-355895.shtml |access-date=23 September 2024 |website=en.prnasia.com |language=en-us}}</ref> founded by the son of the creator of Far East Organisation, which is the parent company of Yeo's. Maeder has represented Swiss watch brand, Norqain, as a brand ambassador since 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Maximilian Maeder - NORQAIN |url=https://norqain.com/pages/norqainers/maximilian-maeder?shpxid=221d1597-0635-46a1-8c8b-7430f241ad0f |access-date=23 September 2024 |website=norqain.com |language=en}}</ref> Singaporean bank, DBS, announced a four-and-a-half-year collaboration with Maeder.<ref>{{Cite web |date=18 July 2024 |title=Get to know world kitefoiling champion Max Maeder |url=https://www.dbs.com/trust-your-spark/article-detail/get-to-know-world-kitefoiling-champion-max-maeder.html |website=DBS}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=11 July 2024 |title=DBS teams up with world kitefoiling champion Max Maeder to galvanise youth to pursue their aspirations |url=https://www.dbs.com/newsroom/DBS_teams_up_with_world_kitefoiling_champion_Max_Maeder_to_galvanise_youth_to_pursue_their_aspirations |website=DBS}}</ref> He has appeared in the brand's "Trust Your Spark" campaign in 2024,<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?si=XMqjjO77nSHwUSyu&v=cZm1g2VSKPY&feature=youtu.be |title=Riding wave and wind: Max Maeder |date=14 August 2024 |last=DBS |access-date=23 September 2024 |via=YouTube}}</ref> and took part in private and public engagement sessions hosted by DBS.<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?si=ZPNk2YxGW8z3tPdR&v=1veQsLNo5uM&feature=youtu.be |title=Q&A with Max Maeder: On pressure, what's changed, what's next... and his legs |date=15 August 2024 |last=The Straits Times |access-date=23 September 2024 |via=YouTube}}</ref><ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?si=bX7ZmZYY-31ebR6H&v=iwbY0ZNgAWw&feature=youtu.be |title=Max Maeder full interview with DBS CEO Gupta #trustyourspark |date=21 August 2024 |last=Plastic Jesus |access-date=23 September 2024 |via=YouTube}}</ref>

== Personal life ==

Maeder was born on 12 September 2006<ref>{{Cite web |title=Athlete Profiles |url=https://olympics.com/en/paris-2024/athlete/maximilian-maeder_1535852 |website=Paris Olympics 2024}}</ref> in Singapore to Valentin and Hwee Keng (née Teng) Maeder. His father is a Swiss, and his mother is a Chinese Singaporean. He has two younger brothers, Karl and Valentin Jr., who are respectively 2 and 9 years younger.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |last=Kwek |first=Kimberly |date=3 August 2024 |title=How Maximilian Maeder's parents raised a world champion |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/how-maximilian-maeder-s-parents-raised-a-world-champion |access-date=22 September 2024 |work=The Straits Times |language=en |issn=0585-3923}}</ref>

Maeder grew up in a multilingual household; In addition to his native English, Maeder also understands Mandarin, German, Swiss German and French.<ref name=":4" /><ref name="fluency" /> He said that his linguistic abilities, particularly in Mandarin, are a result of his mother's persistent effort in ignoring anything he said in any language other than Mandarin.<ref name=":4"/><ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?si=S8fo2AD1YHZGSAFo&v=6CwtLiRUPjY&feature=youtu.be |title=23 Questions With Maximilian Maeder: SG Gen Z On Road To Olympics, Relationships & More! |date=4 July 2024 |last=HeyKaki 嘿卡奇 |access-date=22 September 2024 |via=YouTube}}</ref> Maeder was homeschooled growing up.<ref name=":0" />

His family has a long association with water sports: His uncle Lorenz Mäder is a marine biologist who also is the founder of the conservationist dive resort Wakatobi in Southern Sulawesi, Indonesia.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=The people behind the Wakatobi experience |url=https://www.wakatobi.com/about-us/people/ |access-date=22 September 2024 |language=en-US}}</ref> Maeder's parents have helped manage the dive resort, with his mother, Hwee Keng Maeder, being on the board of Wakatobi.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":0" /> His father, Valentin Maeder is a glider pilot and water sports enthusiast.<ref>{{Cite web |date=10 October 2017 |title=Valentin Mäder (SUI) (18098) {{!}} World Air Sports Federation |url=https://www.fai.org/record/18098 |access-date=25 September 2024 |website=www.fai.org |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":0" /> Maeder spent a large part of his early life in Wakatobi, and it is also where he first learnt kiteboarding and kitefoiling.<ref name=":5">{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?si=4sp3XEb7FHeQwc-6&v=6CwtLiRUPjY&feature=youtu.be |title=23 Questions With Maximilian Maeder: SG Gen Z On Road To Olympics, Relationships & More! |date=4 July 2024 |last=HeyKaki 嘿卡奇 |access-date=23 September 2024 |via=YouTube}}</ref><ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?si=SH5bMA_x-x1epUC_&v=p1i9N31QCuo&feature=youtu.be |title=2024 IKA Asians - Max Maeder |date=19 September 2024 |last=kiteclasses |access-date=22 September 2024 |via=YouTube}}</ref>

Although Maeder had dual nationality of Swiss and Singaporean by birth, he chose to compete for Singapore at the age of 11.<ref name=":2">{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?si=uCqdr8QElmDLaQYE&v=AzguEXaWAss&feature=youtu.be |title=Max Maeder and Edwin Tong speak on their relationship, why Max picked Singapore and more |date=14 August 2024 |last=The Straits Times |access-date=22 September 2024 |via=YouTube}}</ref> He compared the choice of what country to represent with choosing one cuisine to eat for the rest of his life. He stated, "It felt like choosing between chicken rice and cheese fondue" and it was a "easy choice" for him to pick chicken rice (standing for Singapore).<ref name=":2" /> His brother Karl Maeder is also a kitefoiler who is representing Switzerland and is on the Swiss Youth Kite Sailing team.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=World Sailing - Karl Maeder |url=https://www.sailing.org/sailor/karl-maeder?ref=SUIKM1 |access-date=22 September 2024 |website=World Sailing |language=en}}</ref>thumb|Maeder with other Singapore Olympians at the open-top bus parade in 2024

In his free time, Maeder enjoys chess.<ref name=":5" /> Max enjoys a form of chess mode called "chess puzzles" and has told that his chess puzzle points on Chess.com is 2650.<ref name=":3">{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/live/8ksWKisX0zM?si=MrfRwOWzVMR-9HU8 |title=DBS Trust Your Spark with Max Maeder! 🪁🎖 |language=en |access-date=22 September 2024 |via=YouTube}}</ref> It is his superstition to base his performance in the race on how he did for his chess puzzles on the day.<ref name=":3" /> Maeder has been dating an unnamed Singaporean national swimmer since August 2024.<ref name=":3" />

In 2024, he was granted a deferment from his National Service (NS) obligations where he could continue to train and compete until after the 2028 Summer Olympics.<ref>{{cite web |date=6 July 2024 |title=Singapore world champion kitefoiler Max Maeder granted National Service deferment |url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/max-maeder-granted-national-service-deferment-kitefoiling-world-champion-olympics-mindef-4461196 |access-date=28 July 2024 |website=CNA |language=en}}</ref>

After the 2024 Paris Olympics, Maeder and 9 other Singaporean Olympians participated in an open-top bus parade.<ref>{{Cite news |date=14 August 2024 |title=In Pictures: Max Maeder and Singapore Olympians go on celebratory parade |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/multimedia/photos/in-pictures-max-maeder-and-singapore-olympians-go-on-celebratory-parade |access-date=23 September 2024 |work=The Straits Times |language=en |issn=0585-3923}}</ref>

== Awards and nominations ==

The list of nominations for awards received by and awards won by Maeder are as follows: * Nominated for The Straits Times' Athlete of the Year 2021<ref>{{Cite web |last=Chia|first=Laura|date=1 April 2022|title=ST Athlete of the Year: Kitefoiler Maximilian Maeder rises above and beyond |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/st-athlete-of-the-year-kitefoiler-maximilian-maeder-rises-above-and-beyond |access-date=24 August 2023|work=The Straits Times}}</ref> * Nominated for The Straits Times' Athlete of the Year 2022<ref>{{Cite web |last=Chia|first=Laura|date=29 March 2023|title=ST Athlete of the Year nominee: Maximilian Maeder's letter to his future self|url=https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/athlete-of-the-year-nominee-maximilian-maeder-s-letter-to-his-future-self |access-date=24 August 2023|work=The Straits Times}}</ref> * Won the SNOC Sportsboy of the Year 2022<ref>{{cite web |last=Ganesan|first=Deepanraj|title=Loh Kean Yew wins his first Sportsman of the Year award |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/loh-kean-yew-wins-his-first-sportsman-of-the-year-award |work=The Straits Times|date=10 November 2022|access-date=24 August 2023}}</ref> * Won the SNOC Sportsboy of the Year 2023<ref>{{cite web |title=Feng Tianwei, Sheik Farhan win sportswoman and sportsman of the year awards for 2023 |url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/sport/sports-awards-2022-sportsg-snoc-feng-tianwei-sheik-farhan-3719741 |publisher=Channel NewsAsia|date=24 August 2023|access-date=24 August 2023}}</ref> * Nominated for Rolex World Sailor of the Year 2023<ref>{{Cite web |last=Teoh|first=Melvyn|date=18 October 2023|title=Champion kitefoiler Max Maeder is first Singaporean nominated for World Sailor of the Year|url=https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/kitefoiler-max-maeder-is-first-singaporean-nominated-for-world-sailor-of-the-year |access-date=16 December 2023|work=The Straits Times}}</ref> * Won the SNOC Sportsboy of the Year 2024<ref>{{cite web |last=Kwek|first=Kimberly|title=Sprinter Shanti Pereira, bowler Darren Ong win top accolades at 2024 Singapore Sports Awards |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/sprinter-shanti-pereira-darren-ong-win-top-accolades-at-2024-singapore-sports-awards |work=The Straits Times|date=4 June 2024|access-date=8 June 2024}}</ref> * Won Young World Sailor of the Year 2024<ref>{{Cite news |date=5 November 2024 |title=Singapore's Max Maeder named 2024 Young World Sailor of the Year |url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/sport/max-maeder-named-2024-young-world-sailor-year-4725711 |url-status= |access-date=9 November 2024 |work=Channel NewsAsia |publisher=}}</ref>

== See also == * List of Singapore world champions in sports

==Notes and references== {{notelist}} {{reflist}}

==External links== * {{World Sailing|id=SGPMM1|www=maximilian-maeder}} * {{2022 Asian Games profile|sailing/athlete-profile-n2003133-max-maeder|Max Maeder}} * [https://olympics.com/en/paris-2024/athlete/maximilian-maeder_1535852 Maximilian Maeder] at 2024 Summer Olympics

{{portalbar|Biography|Olympic Games|Singapore|Sports}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Maeder, Maximilian}} Category:2006 births Category:Living people Category:Singaporean people of Swiss descent Category:Singaporean people of German descent Category:Male kitesurfers Category:Singaporean male sailors (sport) Category:21st-century Singaporean sportsmen Category:Asian Games gold medalists for Singapore Category:Asian Games gold medalists in sailing Category:Sailors at the 2022 Asian Games Category:Medalists at the 2022 Asian Games Category:Sailors at the 2024 Summer Olympics – Formula Kite Category:Olympic sailors for Singapore Category:Medalists at the 2024 Summer Olympics Category:Olympic medalists in sailing Category:Olympic bronze medalists for Singapore Category:SEA Games medalists in sailing Category:SEA Games gold medalists for Singapore Category:Competitors at the 2025 SEA Games