After such a brilliant display from Team GB at the Tokyo Olympics, ambitions of medals and ‘Magic Mondays’ will be put on hold for the Paris 2024 Games. Debuting at these games will be the sport of kitesurfing and having already achieved so much in the sport at such a young age, Herne Bay’s own Francesca Maini has dreams of reaching Paris and getting the gold!
CommunityAd spoke to Francesca Maini who discussed how she got involved in kitesurfing, her most memorable moments in the sport so far and her future aims.
How did you get involved in the sport of kitesurfing and when did you realise you were good enough to pursue this at a high level?
I got involved in the sport because my dad is a kitesurfer and was always out and I just wanted to have a go and learn from him. I started kitesurfing when I was about 13/14 just for fun on holiday or at home. Then when I was about 16 a friend told us there was a freestyle competition in Ramsgate so we thought we would enter it for fun as it was so close to Herne Bay. I then actually came 2nd place and really enjoyed the competition so kept going with it and started winning some. Then a friend from the competition sent me a link about a ‘kite for gold scheme’ which I joined (again just for fun) which was a movement to get girls race hydrofoiling. I got selected for the Youth British Sailing team and basically started hydrofoiling nationally and internationally.
Who have been your role models growing up that help motivate you to do your best?
I think my dad is my role model because I wanted to always be as good as him at kitesurfing and he always motivated me along with my mum.
What would you say so far have been your most memorable achievements in the sport?
I’ve had a lot of memorable achievements, recently my best achievement was a big air kite competition in South Africa and coming 3rd. Just competing internationally in general improves your skills a lot quicker. Just normally if I land a new trick or have a really good session for me it’s like a memorable achievement.
With Kitesurfing debuting at the Paris 2024 Olympics, how big of a goal is it for you to make it to these Olympics and how close to it would you say you are?
It would be amazing to compete in the Olympics. I’ve been away for the last 9 months without race foiling training but now I’m back and I am training as much as possible and getting back into it. Hopefully I can compete in the Olympics as it would be an amazing experience.
How hard is it to dedicate yourself to training in this sport alongside your education?
Sometimes when work gets very busy it’s hard to find time to train and work especially in the winter as it gets dark so quick and sessions aren’t as long as it’s so cold! Normally I find it pretty easy as I just go kitesurfing on the weekends or at the moment during summer, I can go out every day!
Where would you like to be in 5-10 years in regards to your Kitesurfing and professional career?
In 5-10 years I will hopefully be in the Olympic kiteboarding team and competing more internationally.
Away from Kitesurfing, what are your hobbies and interests and what do you enjoy most about living in Herne Bay?
My hobby is kitesurfing! So when I train I’m just having a good time. When it’s not windy me and my brother have a little dinghy boat which has just enough power to pull us on a hydrofoil which is great fun. We also both love surfing so sometimes when the conditions are good, we go down to Cornwall for some waves.
I just love being by the sea in Herne Bay and spend most my time at the beach. However, I find it really crazy that in 2021 there is a sewage leak there at the moment just polluting our local area so no one can actually swim or go in the sea.