We are extremely proud and satisfied with the performance of all our athletes at this year’s U19 World Championship. Winning one World Title and two silver medals! Congratulations to winner Max Maeder and 2nd place finishers Riccardo Pianosi and Magdalena Woyciechowska!
We interviewed new World Champion Max Maeder before he went to Gizzeria Italy, where he showcased his incredible speed and consistency at the most important race event of 2021. We are impressed by his maturity, physical strength, and how he handled mental stress as the main title contender.
We would like to congratulate all competitors for putting up a great show. The event was a win for the sport!
Hello Max, it’s good to catch up after a long break. I hope you are well and ready for the big upcoming events. We like to give our audience a good feeling of what’s it like to start kitefoil racing. Here are some questions:
CH: Why did you start racing and how did it affect your life?
Max: I enjoyed racing from small, first on ski’s then on the kiteboard. Since I thought I could kite decently, I tried to get into kite racing. Ever since the first race, I LOVED it. Although twintip racing was becoming more and more about the strength you had, I decided to switch to kitefoiling. Again, I was immediately hooked and decided to build my life around improving in kitefoiling.
CH: Is kite racing a physical or tactical sport?
Max: At the highest level kitefoiling is both tactical and physical. Of course, you need both to be good, but if you would have to favour one over the other, it would be tactics.
CH: Do you have any advice for people who are getting into racing?
Max: If you want to get into kitefoil racing, go foil to have fun, and don’t let results determine how much you enjoy the sport. Starting to race has no age restrictions, I started to kite race when I was 10 and would have done it earlier. Racing in my eyes is a way to compare yourself to others who are also passionate about this sport. So, if you must force yourself to go kitefoiling, I suggest that you try something that fits your tastes better.
CH: What are your goals for this season?
Max: My main goals this season will be winning the U19 World Championships and representing Flysurfer as best I can in Asia. Since I thought I could kite decently, I tried to get into kite racing. Ever since the first race, I LOVED it. Although twintip racing was becoming more and more about the strength you had, I decided to switch to kitefoiling. Again, I was immediately hooked and decided to build my life around improving in kitefoiling.
CH: Are you supported by a federation or association?
Max: I am under the Singapore Sailing Association, though most of my support comes from my extraordinary parents. Of course, my Sponsors, Flysurfer and Levitaz, are a huge help as well.
Maximilian cut it short and won the race and the World Title, Riccardo Pianosi winning silver and Jis Van Hees taking bronze.
“It feels amazing, I am so thankful to the organizers, to the competitors and my supporters, it would have never happened without them” commented a beaming Maximilian Maeder, just after the only race he joined and won today. “I feel tired but happy, a lot of mixed emotions but mostly just happy. It was quite a fight with Riccardo, he is a great competitor, but I think I’ve just had one of the best races I’ve ever had today, I took a good lead and won”.
A joyful prize-giving ceremony puts the 2021 Formula Kite U19 and A’s Youth Foil Individual World Championships in the books. The 65 young athletes will hopefully meet again soon at the next big event of the season, the Formula Kite and A’s Youth Foil European Championships in Montpellier, France, from September the 6th to the 12th.
Full results: https://formulakite.org
Read the full event write up on: https://www.formulakite.org/news
Formula Kite Male U19
1 SGP 80 Maximilian Maeder
2 ITA 38 Riccardo Pianosi
3 NED 11 Jis van Hees
Credits & Source: https://www.kiteclasses.org/
Images & Media: https://www.icarus-sports.com/ & IKA Media