Max in Coaching Switch

S'porean believes Swiss set-up's approach can help him improve

- Kimberly Kwek

With an eye on the future, Singaporean kitefoiler Maximilian Maeder has switched up his coaching setup and is now training with the Swiss team.

The move sees him working under Swiss coach Matthieu Girolet, with their first unofficial training camp held about four weeks ago. Maeder, who represents Singapore, will also train alongside his younger brother Karl, 16, who is part of the Swiss team.

In his first event since the coaching switch, the 18-year-old clinched the men's silver at the International Kiteboarding Association Youth European Championships in Gizzeria, Italy, on July 6.

Italy's Riccardo Pianosi claimed gold, while the bronze medal went to Switzerland's Gian Stragiotti.

"I'm in with a new team, which means I have a new coach, new training partners...It has felt like it's been really productive work," said Maeder, whose father Valentin is Swiss and mother Hwee Keng is Singaporean.

"It's a new environment, there's some things to get acclimatised to. However, I feel like it's really good work and I feel like it has great potential for the future."