Latest news with #FormulaKiteEuropeanChampionships
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Max Maeder defends European kitefoiling crown; Ex-Wah!Banana star Lev Panfilov jailed in Tinder assault case: Singapore live news
Hello to all our readers, Yahoo Singapore will be bringing you live news updates today. The editorial team will be curating the latest must-know local and international news. In a thrilling finale at the Formula Kite European Championships in Urla, Turkey, Singapore's Maximilian Maeder defended his title with two decisive race wins on Monday (19 May). Facing formidable opponents like Italy's Riccardo Pianosi, Maeder's tactical acumen and calm under pressure propelled him to the top of the podium. This victory underscores his dominance in the sport and sets the stage for future international competitions. Lev Panfilov, a Singapore TikToker and former Wah!Banana actor, was sentenced to 11½ years in jail and 12 strokes of the cane for raping a woman he met on Tinder. The assault occurred in 2021 after a scriptwriting meet up turned violent in his bedroom. The victim, an aspiring comedy writer, endured a gruelling 13-day cross-examination during the trial. Panfilov's attempt to flee Singapore mid-trial fuelled the prosecution's case against his lack of remorse. Justice Pang Khang Chau praised the victim's convincing testimony while dismissing Panfilov's inconsistent defence. The case ignited public outrage, particularly over victim-shaming comments from a former Law Society official. Panfilov plans to appeal his conviction and sentence. Read more in our live blog below, including the latest local and international news and updates. Singapore's kitefoiling champion, Maximilian Maeder, successfully retained his Formula Kite European Championships title in Urla, Turkey, on Monday (19 May). The 18-year-old athlete clinched victory by winning two consecutive races in the medal series, overcoming early challenges and fierce competition. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Int. Kiteboarding Association (@kiteclasses) Maeder's journey to the top was marked by resilience and strategic brilliance. Despite facing equipment issues and intense pressure, he maintained focus and executed flawless performances in the final races. His ability to stay composed under duress was instrumental in securing the championship. The victory adds to Maeder's impressive list of achievements, including a bronze medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics and multiple international titles. His consistent excellence in the sport has solidified his reputation as a leading figure in kitefoiling. Looking ahead, Maeder's sights are set on upcoming competitions, where he aims to continue his winning streak and further elevate Singapore's presence in the global sailing community. Lev Panfilov, a 29-year-old TikToker and former Wah!Banana actor, received 11½ years in jail and 12 strokes of the cane on Monday (19 May), for raping a woman he met on Tinder. The assault unfolded in his bedroom on 12 January 2021, after a scriptwriting session went horribly wrong. The victim, a 30-year-old aspiring comedy writer, bravely testified, earning praise from Justice Pang Khang Chau as an 'unusually convincing' witness. Panfilov's defence crumbled under inconsistencies, with the judge dismissing his claim of consensual sex. The prosecution slammed his lack of remorse, citing a 13-day cross-examination ordeal for the victim and a sneaky attempt to flee Singapore mid-trial using a new Russian passport. The high-profile case stirred public outrage, especially after victim-shaming comments from a former Law Society vice-president drew sharp criticism. Law and Home Affairs Minister K Shanmugam condemned such remarks, emphasising zero tolerance for misogyny. Panfilov, now in custody, plans to appeal. The victim's ordeal began at a Robertson Quay restaurant, where she and Panfilov worked on her comedy script before heading to his flat. There, a discussion about comedians turned into a nightmare assault, leaving her in physical and emotional pain. Singapore's kitefoiling champion, Maximilian Maeder, successfully retained his Formula Kite European Championships title in Urla, Turkey, on Monday (19 May). The 18-year-old athlete clinched victory by winning two consecutive races in the medal series, overcoming early challenges and fierce competition. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Int. Kiteboarding Association (@kiteclasses) Maeder's journey to the top was marked by resilience and strategic brilliance. Despite facing equipment issues and intense pressure, he maintained focus and executed flawless performances in the final races. His ability to stay composed under duress was instrumental in securing the championship. The victory adds to Maeder's impressive list of achievements, including a bronze medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics and multiple international titles. His consistent excellence in the sport has solidified his reputation as a leading figure in kitefoiling. Looking ahead, Maeder's sights are set on upcoming competitions, where he aims to continue his winning streak and further elevate Singapore's presence in the global sailing community. Lev Panfilov, a 29-year-old TikToker and former Wah!Banana actor, received 11½ years in jail and 12 strokes of the cane on Monday (19 May), for raping a woman he met on Tinder. The assault unfolded in his bedroom on 12 January 2021, after a scriptwriting session went horribly wrong. The victim, a 30-year-old aspiring comedy writer, bravely testified, earning praise from Justice Pang Khang Chau as an 'unusually convincing' witness. Panfilov's defence crumbled under inconsistencies, with the judge dismissing his claim of consensual sex. The prosecution slammed his lack of remorse, citing a 13-day cross-examination ordeal for the victim and a sneaky attempt to flee Singapore mid-trial using a new Russian passport. The high-profile case stirred public outrage, especially after victim-shaming comments from a former Law Society vice-president drew sharp criticism. Law and Home Affairs Minister K Shanmugam condemned such remarks, emphasising zero tolerance for misogyny. Panfilov, now in custody, plans to appeal. The victim's ordeal began at a Robertson Quay restaurant, where she and Panfilov worked on her comedy script before heading to his flat. There, a discussion about comedians turned into a nightmare assault, leaving her in physical and emotional pain.
New Paper
20-05-2025
- Sport
- New Paper
Max Maeder overcomes setbacks to retain European C'ships crown
Described as a surgeon by his peers, Singapore kitefoiler Maximilian Maeder was able to put aside his emotions and operate with clinical precision to retain his Formula Kite European Championships title on May 19, following an eventful week of racing. The Paris 2024 Olympic bronze medallist had finished second behind Riccardo Pianosi at the French Olympic Week event in April, but insisted he did not set out to avenge that loss as he beat the 20-year-old Italian in Urla, Turkey. Maeder told The Straits Times: "This win is less about defending the title or gaining revenge, because as satisfying as it is, it can cloud your judgment sometimes during racing. So, it was a great learning experience that I was able to detach myself from that. "This surgical precision sometimes eludes me, and I'm very happy and flattered that this compliment is going around and I was able to bring it out today." Pianosi had dominated the opening series, winning 11 out of 16 races to qualify for the medal series in first place as the only athlete with one match point - which means he needed to win only one race in the grand final to claim gold. Maeder, meanwhile, met with difficult conditions to reach the medal series in second place and would need to win two races in the grand final to overhaul Pianosi. In race six of the opening series, a crash ripped off his tracker and tore his wetsuit. He then missed the next race after a line tangle at the start damaged his kite. In the penultimate race, a plastic bag got caught on his hydrofoil (underwater wing), sending him into the water and inverting his kite as he finished last. The drama continued in the four-man grand final on a "phenomenal day of racing". Needing to win to stay in the hunt and prevent Pianosi from claiming the title at the first attempt, both men's kites made contact as they led the first race, and the Italian was penalised after he was adjudged to have touched Maeder's kite on a jibe in the first downwind leg. The 18-year-old Singaporean then kept his focus to capitalise on Pianosi's poor start in the second race to record his first triumph of the year. Gian Stragiotti of Switzerland and Greece's Cameron Maramenides finished third and fourth respectively. Maeder added: "To focus after winning or losing a race is part and parcel of being a racer, because we have to try and do it again and again. To know that the job isn't done, to recalibrate and reset yourself is a skill of a racer, and I've built that experience over time. "I was also pushed to focus and pushed to my limits by the competitors around me. They bring out the best in me, and I hope I bring out the best in them as well." Pianosi paid tribute to the champion, saying: "Max had an amazing day. He did everything clear in the first race, and especially the second one. I made an error at the start, but it was a very nice day for him and I'm happy for him." Maeder will return to Singapore on May 25 to take a couple of weeks' break before heading to Europe again for training. In the women's final, Frenchwoman Lauriane Nolot took gold, while Briton Lily Young, Lysa Caval of France and Argentinian Catalina Turienzo placed second, third and fourth respectively. Meanwhile, at the May 10-17 Ilca 6 Women's and Ilca 7 Men's World Championships in Qingdao, China, Singapore's Ryan Lo ended 14th for Asia's best men's finish, while compatriot Jarrod Toh was 123rd out of 138 sailors as Dutchman Willem Wiersema took gold. In the women's event, Singapore's Jania Ang finished 57th among 99 sailors.
Straits Times
19-05-2025
- Sport
- Straits Times
Revenge not on his agenda as Maximilian Maeder overcomes trials to retain European C'ships crown
SINGAPORE – Described as a surgeon by his peers, Singapore kitefoiler Maximilian Maeder was able to put aside his emotions and operate with clinical precision to retain his Formula Kite European Championships title on May 19, following an eventful week of racing. The Paris 2024 Olympic bronze medallist had finished second behind Riccardo Pianosi at the French Olympic Week event in April, but insisted he did not set out to avenge that loss as he beat the 20-year-old Italian in Urla, Turkey. Maeder told The Straits Times: 'This win is less about defending the title or gaining revenge, because as satisfying as it is, it can cloud your judgment sometimes during racing. So, it was a great learning experience that I was able to detach myself from that. 'This surgical precision sometimes eludes me, and I'm very happy and flattered that this compliment is going around and I was able to bring it out today.' Pianosi had dominated the opening series, winning 11 out of 16 races to qualify for the medal series in first place as the only athlete with one match point – which means he needed to win only one race in the grand final to take gold. Maeder, meanwhile, met with difficult conditions to reach the medal series in second place and would need to win two races in the grand final to overhaul Pianosi. In race six of the opening series, a crash ripped off his tracker and tore his wetsuit. He then missed the next race after a line tangle at the start damaged his kite. The drama continued in the four-man grand final on a 'phenomenal day of racing'. Needing to win to stay in the hunt and prevent Pianosi from claiming the title at the first attempt, both men's kites touched as they led the first race, and the Italian was penalised after he was adjudged to have touched Maeder's kite on a jibe in the first downwind leg. The 18-year-old Singaporean then kept his focus to capitalise on Pianosi's poor start in the second race to record his first triumph of the year. He said: 'To focus after winning or losing a race is part and parcel of being a racer, because we have to try and do it again and again. To know that the job isn't done, to recalibrate and reset yourself is a skill of a racer, and I've built that experience over time. 'I was also pushed to focus and pushed to my limits by the competitors around me. They bring out the best in me, and I hope I bring out the best in them as well.' Pianosi paid tribute to the champion, saying: 'Max had an amazing day. He did everything clear in the first race, and especially the second one. I made an error at the start, but it was a very nice day for him and I'm happy for him.' Maeder will return to Singapore on May 25 to take a couple of weeks' break before heading to Europe again for training. In the women's final, Frenchwoman Lauriane Nolot took gold, while Briton Lily Young, Lysa Caval of France and Argentinian Catalina Turienzo placed second, third and fourth respectively. David Lee is senior sports correspondent at The Straits Times focusing on aquatics, badminton, basketball, cue sports, football and table tennis. Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
