Kitefoiler Max Maeder goes for Olympic gold on National Day: Here’s what he needs to do

MARSEILLE – Singaporean kitefoiler Maximilian Maeder is in the race of his life as the 17-year-old resumes his quest for Olympic gold in the men’s formula kite at the Marseille Marina on Aug 9, after the competition was postponed the day before.

There will be a minimum of two races held after a protest was lodged against Toni Vodisek, resulting in him receiving a penalty of 1.1 points. This penalty applies to the next race, so even if the Slovenian wins race 2, he cannot win the series.

Vodisek can only win the title if he wins race 3, which gives his rivals at least two more races to fight for the gold. It is understood the penalties were issued as the former had failed a helmet inspection and reported late for gear inspection.

Vodisek, 24, initially entered the four-athlete final with two match points, needing just one race win in the first-to-three series to clinch gold, while Maximilian needed two as he carried just one point over.

They had finished first and second from the opening series and qualified directly for the final with these match points.

In the first race of the final that ran on Aug 8, Austria’s Valentin Bontus finished first ahead of Maximilian to draw level with the Singaporean on one match point. The fourth finalist, Italy’s Riccardo Pianosi, has zero match points.

Light winds then halted racing just before the second race of the men’s Formula Kite final could begin. Up to six races, depending on weather conditions and results, can be held to determine the gold medallist.

While before the penalty, Vodisek needed just one race win to win gold while Bontus and Maximilian both required two, that has since changed with the latest development.

If no races are held on Aug 9, Vodisek will win the gold with two race wins, Bontus and Maximilian will claim silver and bronze respectively.