Singapore's Max Maeder (C) poses with silver medallist Zhang Haoran of China and bronze medallist Joseph Jonathan Weston of Thailand at the award ceremony for the men's Kite-IKA Formula Kita race at the 19th Asian Games in Ningbo, east China's Zhejiang Province, Sept. 27, 2023. (Xinhua/Zhang Tao)
Max Maeder of Singapore added Asian Games gold to his world title following triumph in the men's Formula Kite event, while China's Bi Kun took the title of the men's iQFoil windsurfing on a day affected by light winds.
NINGBO, China, Sept. 27 (Xinhua) -- Max Maeder of Singapore has added Asian Games gold to his world title following his triumph in the men's Formula Kite event as light winds forced the cancellation of all races at Ningbo Xiangshan Sailing Center on Wednesday.
Due to the lack of wind, six medal events were canceled and final rankings were decided on the results of previous races.
Maeder, who turned 17 earlier this month, won all of the 16 races to finish with a net score of 13.
"I was excited to continue to compete and give it one last race, but conditions are what they are. I am no less happy," Maeder said.
"I am so happy to be able to compete here at the Asian Games for the first time. What an experience, what a regatta. It was a shame for it to go out like this, but there was great team spirit and I feel pride in my nation."
China's Zhang Haoran sealed silver with 26, while Thailand's Joseph Jonathan Weston scored 38 for bronze.
Chen Jingyue of China was also dominant in the women's Formula Kite competition, coming out on top in all of the 16 races to finish on 13 points.
Thailand's Benyapa Jantawan notched 25 for silver, while South Korea's Lee Young-eun earned bronze with 36.
In the windsurfing event, China's Bi Kun, a bronze medalist at the Tokyo Olympic Games, grasped the title of the men's iQFoil windsurfing.
"It was a lot of pressure to compete at home, and I'm very excited to qualify for Paris 2024," said Bi.
In earlier events, China won three golds in the men's Skiff-49er, the women's Skiff-49erFX and the mixed Multihull-Nacra 17 event. ■
