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Max Maeder completes comeback to defend European Open title

Published Tue 20 May 2025

🏆 BACK-TO-BACK EUROPEAN OPEN CHAMPION ⛵️

Max Maeder completed a triumphant comeback, winning two consecutive races in the final series to defend his 2025 Formula Kite European Open Championship title.

The victory was not easy. 

Max Maeder (left) racing against Italy's Riccardo Pianosi during the 2025 Formula Kite European Championships.

Max had crashed during the opening series, lost his tracker, and touched kites with Riccardo Pianosi in the finals. 

“I think it is a great experience to have strong competitors,” said Max during the live stream after his win.

Max had to bide his time behind Pianosi, who led the fleet from the first day of racing. 

Max Maeder celebrating his win with Italy's Riccardo Pianosi during the 2025 Formula Kite European Championships.

To win, Max needed to prevent Pianosi from winning during the finals, and he did just that, snatching two bullets to seal his win.

“I think I was pushed ... to my limits by the people around me,” said Max.

“They bring out the best in me, and I hope I brought out the best in them as well.”