Paris 2024: History Maed as Max wins Singapore's first sailing medal

By Patrick Johnston

Max Maeder marked National Day by winning Singapore’s first-ever sailing medal, claiming bronze in an action packed final of the men's kitefoil on Friday.

The third place meant it was Singapore's sixth-ever Olympic medal, with swimmer Joseph Schooling the last to win one when he took gold in the 100-metre butterfly at the 2016 Rio Games.

“I hope everybody back at home is happy ... the support, it’s absolutely phenomenal. Happy birthday Singapore,” the 17-year-old told reporters.

"A momentous day; a medal for Singapore on its National Day. I don’t think I have time to express the gratitude for how much positivity has been thrown my way.”

Max Maeder bites his bronze medal during the victory ceremony following the men's Olympic kitefoil final series on Friday.  Photo: Sport Singapore/Kong Chong Yew

"Thank you for your beautiful birthday gift to Singapore!" Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said in his Instagram post dedicated to the win.

Double world champion Max qualified for the kitefoil final in second place, three points behind Slovenia’s Toni Vodisek. They were joined by Italian Riccardo Pianosi and Valentin Bontus of Austria who won the two semi-finals on Thursday.

Max won one race in the opening stage while Vodisek took two, meaning the Singaporean needed to win two races to grab gold while his Slovenian rival only needed one.

Bontus won the first race of the final stage on Thursday before the competition was postponed by a day until Friday because of a lack of wind.

So, in unprecedented circumstances, the finalists returned the day after the competition was scheduled to end - on Singapore’s National Day - to finish.

Max Maeder rounds the mark during the men's Olympic kitefoil final series on Friday.  Photo: Sport Singapore/Kong Chong Yew

Friday began with another three hour delay, again due to lack of wind, followed by some drama when Vodisek was handed two penalties during kit inspection, voiding his result in the day’s first race - the second in the final series.

Bontus took advantage to win it and move level on two race wins, before taking the third race and gold. Max finished both races on Friday in third to ensure a first sailing bronze on Singapore's 59th birthday.

Max Maeder races Valentin Bontus during the men's Olympic kitefoil final series on Friday.  Photo: Sport Singapore/Kong Chong Yew

Max also becomes Singapore's youngest Olympic medallist.

"I still need to process everything that's going on because, yeah, it's a lot," he said.

Max's Croatian coach "Johnny" Ivica Dolenc said that although Max was desperate for gold, he should still be proud of his efforts in Marseille.

"We were all sure that gold is gonna come, yeah," he said.  "But I think Max, after everything dies down, he'll feel how big achievement this is."

With tears in his eyes, Max hugged his mum as he returned to shore, surrounded by his father, brothers and family members.

"For me he is an amazing son," said Max's mum Teng Hwee Keng.

And to Singaporeans - a champion and a beacon of inspiration.

 Max Maeder hugs his mother Teng Hwee Keng after winning bronze in the men's kitefoil at the Olympics. Photo: Sport Singapore/Jeremy Lee

The Paris 2024 Olympic Games takes place in Paris, France from 26 July to 11 August 2024. For the latest Team Singapore coverage and news, follow Team Singapore on their social media channels (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok) or visit the official Team Singapore website.