Singapore’s 11-strong sailing team is raring to go at the SEA Games in Pattaya and Sattahip, facing hosts Thailand and other regional heavyweights. Backed by a mix of Olympians and rising talents, the squad aims to build on two years of preparation after a strong showing in 2023 in Cambodia, where they claimed seven medals, including three golds.
Olympic kitefoiling bronze medallist Maximilian Maeder will make his bow at the SEA Games after a dominant season on the circuit, despite a few near misses by his lofty standards.
A recent fourth-place finish at the Formula Kite Youth World Championships in Azores, Portugal, was “frustrating” for the 19-year-old, who finished outside the podium in an official event for the first time since 2021.
“I didn’t even get to race properly in the Medal series because of gusty and shifty winds, crossing the start line late, dealing with plastic bags on the course, and so on. But I feel like I took all the learnings I could from the event itself,” Maeder said.
But that hasn’t dampened the youngster’s excitement for his maiden SEA Games.
“I’m super excited to be part of the Singapore contingent and representing our nation at the SEA Games. I can’t wait to compete and race on the water in Thailand.”
Speaking on his approach ahead of the Games, Maeder said, “Funnily enough, it’s not the successes or the competitions that I feel have made me sharp in the lead-up to the SEA Games. Rather, it’s the tough training I’ve had with my new team and the way I’ve grown from that experience that I feel has made me the most prepared for the challenges ahead.”
Having amassed titles on the global stage and the European circuit, a regional medal still holds special significance for Maeder.
“It would be great to bring that home for Singapore, and it would also be a good sign that I can perform under more diverse circumstances than I usually find myself in.”
At 19, Maeder is far from the youngest in the contingent, with 12-year-old Anya Zahedi set to compete in the Optimist category.
Having won the Optimist girls’ division at the Mussanah Race Week and been crowned the top female sailor at the 2025 Optimist Asian & Oceanian Championships just two months ago, Anya will be taking on her first SEA Games with winds in her sails.
“Those achievements gave me some confidence, and the goal I have set for myself is to hopefully medal and also improve and learn a lot from the other sailors,” she said. “I’m most excited about racing with the other sailors from different countries, but I am also feeling nervous because the competitors are really good.”
On the opposite end of the spectrum, SEA Games veteran Ryan Lo will be embarking on his fifth Games, having won medals at every edition he competed in.
“I treasure each Games or competition I participate in more now, as I know I’m not getting any younger, and I just try to make the best out of each one,” he said.
The two-time Olympian will be defending his ILCA7 crown, and his career-high 14th place at the 2025 ILCA7 World Championships in Qingdao in May will certainly have given Lo a boost. But he remains careful not to underestimate his competitors in his quest for gold.
“Some time has passed since the world champs, so I am not sure how much my regional competition has improved, but I am confident of my own preparations and what I’ve done over the last half of the year to get where I am at physically.”
With his eyes also set on the long-term target of qualifying for the 2026 Asian Games, Lo is eager to use the SEA Games to test his level.
“It would be a good event to see the level I am at and what else needs to be further tweaked for the lead-up to the next season,” he said.
Team Singapore Sailing’s SEA Games squad
- Ryan Lo (ILCA 7 Men)
- Maximilian Maeder (Formula Kite Men)
- Elkan Oh (iQFOIL Men)
- Jonathan Chan (Techno 293+ Men)
- John Wong (iQFOIL U19 Men)
- Austin Yeo (ILCA 4 Boys)
- Ethan Chia (Optimist Boys)
- Angel Chew (iQFOIL Women)
- Jania Ang (ILCA 6 Women)
- Nia Zahedi (ILCA 4 Girls)
- Anya Zahedi (Optimist Girls)
