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He had promised to “give it his all for Saint-Barthélemy” (JSB 1676). Lorenzo Mayer kept his word! On Wednesday, September 2, after eleven races in a high-level competition, the Saint-Barth Yacht Club member won the gold medal in the ILCA 7 class at the Mediterranean Games.
The 20th edition of this international sporting event took place in Taranto, Italy. In conditions that were at times less than ideal—with “unpredictable weather and wind that didn’t always cooperate,” as Lorenzo explained—the champion dominated the competition by a wide margin. This was despite a somewhat hesitant start.
In fact, in the first race, Lorenzo Mayer finished only in twentieth place. He thus “used up” his “joker” right off the bat, since each competitor’s worst result is not counted in the final tally. This slow start would have no consequences for Lorenzo Mayer, as he gradually established his undisputed dominance over the event.
A Tidal Wave and Experience
In the next four heats, he regained his position at the top of the standings with two seventh-place finishes, a first, a third, and an eighth. From then on, it was a landslide for his direct competitors. In the seventh, eighth, and ninth heats, Lorenzo crossed the finish line in first place. From then on, all he had to do was let his experience shine through. “I played it safe over the last few days,” said the gold medalist, who finished 7th and 9th in the tenth and eleventh races. Reached by phone, he was overjoyed on the bus taking the French delegation’s sailors back to the Athletes’ Village. “I wasn’t trying to win the last two races but rather to stay close to the competitors right behind me, which allowed me to finish with an 11-point lead over second place and a 15-point lead over third,” explains Lorenzo, who adds: “With four races won, I felt calm and knew what I shouldn’t do. I took it easy, race by race, and I’m very happy! ” This result is all the more satisfying given that Lorenzo chose to compete in the Mediterranean Games rather than the World Championships, which were taking place at the same time.
“I’m heading home”
At the Federation’s request, he represented France in the sailing event. “The Federation had instructed us to finish in the top three to secure the quota for the next Games,” explains Lorenzo. By winning gold, the Saint-Barth Yacht Club member did more than just fulfill his mission. In particular, he helped the French team climb the medal table and the nations’ rankings. “I’m heading home on a high note to end the season,” smiles Lorenzo, whose goal remains the same: to qualify for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles (United States).
From that perspective, a victory at the Mediterranean Games doesn’t carry the same weight as a medal at the world championships. Nevertheless, this gold medal bolsters his credibility with the French Sailing Federation and within the French national team. “It still carries some weight,” Lorenzo says. “It gives me visibility and confidence.” This is by no means insignificant, given how fierce the competition is.
What’s more, Lorenzo can also count on the support of the residents of Saint Barthélemy. He thinks fondly of his island, even from Italy. “I wouldn’t have made it this far without thinking about my family’s history and that of the island,” he confides. On Wednesday, the champion celebrated his victory with the French team—and especially with Marie Barrue, a gold medalist like Lorenzo but in the ILCA 6 class. He’s now looking forward to returning home to recharge before setting out to secure a spot for Los Angeles.
