Waterford native among medal contenders in Olympic kiteboarding

Waterford native Maggie Pescetto has qualified for the semi-finals of the women's kite at the Paris Olympics.

The 23-year-old represents Italy but is a native of Kill.

She finished 8^th overall from her opening five races and will return to action in the semi-finals on Thursday morning.

Pescetto was born in Waterford but grew up in Italy and is flying the Italian flag in the sport of kiteboarding which is making its Olympic debut at the 2024 Games.

Maggie's parents are Sean Pescetto and Aisling Queally. Aisling is daughter of Eileen Queally and the late Peter Queally of Kill, County Waterford.

Well-known businessman Peter, who died in August last year, set up Dawn Meats with his brother John and their business partner Dan Browne in 1980. It grew to become one of Europe’s largest privately-owned agri companies. The brothers were honoured with the accolade of Ambassador of the Year at the Waterford Business Awards in February 2020.

Maggie began kitesurfing at the age of 13 and traces her love of the water back to her family's visits to the Copper Coast during her formative years.

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