PARIS – While Maximilian Maeder is in the thick of thrilling kitefoiling action on the water, someone else on land is following his race closely and feeling the same intensity.

Daniel Leow, his technician and co-pilot, has to be prepared for possible scenarios and be ready to react.

With little to no communication with the Singaporean and his coach Johnny Dolenc, who are out on the water during races, Leow gets a sense of the course conditions from a VHF radio that is tuned into the same frequency as the race committee, as well as live wind sensors and live trackers.

Taking in all the information and tapping on his experience as a former competitor, the 46-year-old prepares in advance, such as making sure a different kite is ready should the wind conditions change.

For example, if he notices the wind is dropping, he will get a bigger kite ready for Maximilian.

He said: “I understand he’s at that level where he needs to focus on those races and he wouldn’t have enough time to do things like equipment check.

“So whatever stuff I can help him to lessen his burden like prepare his kites and talking to the (equipment) manufacturers, I do.”

Leow, one of the key members of the teenager’s support team, first got to know Maximilian about seven years ago after they met at a competition in Thailand, where the latter was still racing on twintip kiteboards instead of foils.

The following year, Maximilian’s mother Teng Hwee Keng asked if he wanted to coach her son in kitefoiling. That would be the start of a long partnership between the Malaysian and Maximilian.

Maximilian’s ambition was clear from the start. While Leow was teaching him the basics of kitefoiling such as how to maintain and tune the kite and its lines, Maximilian was trying out things on his own too.

Leow said: “He learnt so fast, this kid was amazing. Some of the things that I don’t teach him, he will self explore, he will try and he will say I have figured it out myself.”

It was not always the plan for Leow to go into coaching but he found joy in helping those who were keen to improve.

Leow started windsurfing at 15, before getting into kitesurfing and then kitefoiling.

He did all this while completing a PhD in computer science and engineering at the Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, but eight years into his doctorate, he quit to focus on sports full-time.

After retiring from competing in 2022, he began to fully support Maximilian as a technician and co-pilot, following him to his competitions and occasionally, training camps.

Daniel Leow and Maximilian Maeder at the 2018 Formula Kite World Championships in Aarhus, Denmark. PHOTO: DANIEL LEOW

Before a race, Leow has to prepare the kite, making sure the bridles are not tangled. For every race, he has to make sure the kites are properly packed so that Maximilian can fly the kite within three to five minutes of it being opened up.

Once Maximilian finishes his races, Leow does an equipment check to ensure that there are no tears in the canopy. If there are any issues, he will get them fixed before the next race.

Maximilian (left) celebrating his bronze medal with Leow at the Paris Olympics. PHOTO: SPORT SINGAPORE

But beyond just making sure that Maximilian is race ready, Leow sees himself as a family figure to the teenager and shares a special bond off the water.

“For me, it’s not so much about Max winning the medals, it’s him being who he is today, whether he wins or not I’m very proud of him,” said Leow.

“I’ve seen him grow to how he is today, he’s a complete mature person.”

Leow (centre) with Maximilian and Maximilian’s brother Karl at the Paris Olympics. PHOTO: COURTESY OF DANIEL LEOW

Another important figure in Maximilian’s corner is his coach Johnny Dolenc. What was supposed to just be a training camp of a few weeks in Croatia has turned into a successful partnership that has seen them clinch two world championship titles and an Olympic bronze.

Like Leow, the 55-year-old, whose son Martin is Maximilian’s training partner, also treats the Singaporean as family.

Dolenc said: “Since the beginning, I’ve seen that he’s got the potential, he’s talented, he’s willing to work.

“We clicked from the beginning, from then on, our relationship just got better and better. I look at him like my son.”

Maximilian (right) and his coach Johnny Dolenc after the final race at the Marseille Marina on Aug 9. ST PHOTO: MARK CHEONG

A former competitive windsurfer, Dolenc started coaching the Croatian national windsurfing team after completing his sports science degree in university.

Since they began working together about four years ago, Maximilian has racked up the titles, with the Croat saying he was surprised by his charge’s “really fast” progress.

Of their journey, he said: “I’m enjoying the process, I’m enjoying the progress of my athletes. The improvement and progress is really satisfying to see.”