Francesca Bagnoli has just been signed to the North International Team; the Italian rider has a unique style and is fully committed to making it to the top!

Francesca has just been promoted to the North International team, expect to see big things from the Italian in the future!

When did you learn to kiteboard and how did you discover it?

I learnt to kite back in 2009 when I was 15 years old. For me, it was easy to get closer to this sport because my dad has practised in it since 2002, and he was my kite instructor. I had to fight a lot to convince my dad to give me the first lessons because I was tiny and he was scared I would fly away, but in the end, he taught me, and it was love at first sight!

Can you tell us a bit about the Italian kiteboarding scene?

I think the Italian kiteboarding scene has its ups and downs. Now there is a pretty promising youth scene, which is growing. Also, hopefully, the number of girls will increase a bit. I think the future will be brighter than the past!

Congratulation on being named to the North international team!

How long have you ridden for North, and what do you like most about North’s products?

I have been riding for North since 2010. It was a very long journey to get to the North International team, but in the end, here I am! I can’t explain how happy and proud I am. This was one of my biggest dreams, and it came true. Dedication and hard work paid off!

I love the Vegas. For me, it is the best kite ever because it has perfect slack in the lines, which makes the tricks a lot easier. The kite is very stable, and it’s even more stable when used with the wake style bar. I wouldn’t ride anything else!

What are your competition goals for this season, and what are your predictions for the women’s World Tour?

I would like to pass the trials in Leucate to qualify for the whole tour. I’d love to compete with the ladies in many spots around the world. I can’t give any predictions because in competitions you never know what will happen!

What is your favourite trick and which new tricks are you working on?

My favourite move is the Smobe 5. I could do it all day long! I’m working on the front to blind now, and I really want to land it.

How do you stay motivated to train your hardest?

Luckily, I have my boyfriend who is an amazing rider, and he always helps me push my limits.

Who are your favourite people to ride with, and where’s your favourite place to train?

I love riding with my Italian friends in our perfect spot, Lo Stagnone, here in Sicily. In Brazil, I had a lot of fun riding with Hannah Whiteley. Not only is she an amazing rider, but she’s also a wonderful person!

What is the hardest obstacle you’ve had to overcome as a kiter?

I would say leaving my family and moving to Sicily to train was tough. I was 19 years old, and in the beginning, I was a bit homesick, but I knew it was the right decision. I wanted to become a professional rider, learn new tricks and push my limits forward, and I made my dreams come true.

What advice would you offer to young riders who want to pursue the level that you’ve achieved?

My advice is to never back down, to follow your dreams and make them come true. In kitesurfing, you must have a lot of patience to try new tricks and land them perfectly. So go for it as many times as possible and get completely comfortable with crashing.

If it isn’t windy, what do you do?

Too many things! I love practising yoga, skating and I’m also studying Science of Sport. Three times per week, I go to an artistic gymnastics class because I think it’s very helpful for kiteboarding. I always say that if I could, I would make the day last 36 hours!

If you weren’t a kiter, what would you be doing with your life?

If I hadn’t become a kiter, I would have been a gymnast for sure. I have practised gymnastics for many years, and I’m still in love with this sport.

What are you more passionate about, riding for the cameras or competing? Why?

They give me different feelings. If I ride for cameras, I’m more relaxed, and I have a lot of fun. Competing gives me a big adrenaline rush, and I really need it. So, I would say both.

Thanks for taking the time Francesca, good luck for the coming season!

Videos

"Stomped" by Francesca Bagnoli
By Lindsay McClure
Lindsay is a pro rider from Hood River in the USA, she works for IKSURFMAG as our Features Editor and is an integral part of the team. Lindsay is really into wakestyle riding and can be found in the Hood River Slider Park during the summer months, she also travels all over the world with the World Class Academy helping younger riders develop through kiteboarding!

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