SINGAPORE — It just keeps getting better for Singapore national sailor Maximilian Maeder, as he becomes the first-ever Singaporean to be nominated for the prestigious World Sailor of the Year (Male) by World Sailing, the sport’s world governing body.
According to the nomination list released earlier in the week, Max will be competing for the honour with Charlie Enright (USA), Tom Slingsby (Australia), and the duo of Bart Lambriex and Floris van de Werken from the Netherlands.
Maeder had an illustrious year, winning the Asian Games Formula Kite gold medal event in September before he went on to clinch the top spot in the opening two series in the Kitefoil World Series earlier this month in Austria and then in Sardinia, Italy (pic below).
Prior to the Asian Games, the 17-year-old won his third consecutive Formula Kite Youth World Championships title in July. A month later, the Singaporean sailor became the youngest winner in any Olympic sailing class of a world championship as he won the Formula Kite World Championships in August in The Hague, Netherlands, which earned him a spot in next year’s Paris Olympics.
Singapore Sailing Federation president Dr Lincoln Chee shared that Maeder’s success and nomination for the World Sailor of the Year award are celebrated by the Singapore Sailing Federation and it also serves as an inspiration for other young sailors.
“The sailing community (especially our kiters!) are elated to hear about World Sailing’s nomination of Max for this year’s Rolex World Sailor of the Year award. It is already a great achievement to be shortlisted, and an acknowledgement of his performance in 2023.
It is a great inspiration to young sailors, athletes and youths from Singapore. That if you dream a little, and work very hard., you can make a big impact in the world!” said Dr Chee on Singapore Sailing Federation’s Facebook page.
The Sailing Federation has also called on the local sailing community and Singaporeans to support Maeder as public voting for the World Sailor of the Year is now underway until midnight UTC on Oct 30 (8 am Singapore time). You may cast your vote for Maeder here – sailing.org/world-sailing-awards-2023
“Max has shown exceptional performance this past year in the world of kite foiling and making Singapore proud on the global stage. Now, he needs our support! Let’s rally behind Max and vote for him to secure this well-deserved recognition. Show your love for Singaporean excellence and vote for Max Maeder! Vote now and share this incredible journey with your friends. Let’s make sure the world knows about our outstanding sailor!” shared Singapore Sailing Federation on their social media.
Maeder will be facing tough competition with the other nominees for the World Sailor of the Year award. Enright was the skipper of the 11th Hour Racing Team in The Ocean Race, while Slingsby is a two-time World Sailor of the Year and led Team Australia to victory in last year’s SailGP. The duo, Lambriex and de Werken, are winners of the 49er World Championships from 2021 to 2023.
In the female category, the nominees are Bety Alison (USA), winner of the Hansa 303 Para Sailing World Championship; Lauriane Nolot (France), a gold medallist at the 2023 Formula Kite World Championship 2023; Vilma Bobeck and Rebecca Netzler (Sweden) winners of the 2023 49erFX World Championships. The last nominee is South African Kirsten Neuschafer, who took part in the Golden Globe Race journey last year. The winners will be announced on Nov 14 in Malaga, Spain, during the World Sailing Annual Conference.