A public presentation gathered just over fifty people in front of the harbor office of Beaulieu-sur-Mer. Nathan Mesiano unveiled his boat, a Pogo 3 named EOS. The event marked a new phase in the preparation for the Mini Transat 2027. Supporters, partners, family, and enthusiasts came together around the young navigator to discover the vessel and hear the skipper’s first impressions.
The presentation took place last week in front of the port, with Nathan Mesiano’s family and his sports staff in attendance. Several institutional representatives attended this symbolic and emotionally charged moment. Patrons, private partners, and artists involved in the auction held on December 9th also made the trip. The audience also included sailing enthusiasts who have been following the project since its inception.
The auction organized in December raised €20,000. This amount was obtained thanks to the involvement of Benjamin Mondou, who was present at the presentation. This financial support contributed to acquiring the boat. The moment was marked by a symbolic christening, with the popping of champagne corks. A traditional Epiphany cake was then shared in a convivial atmosphere.
The boat will bear the name EOS. Nathan Mesiano explained his choice: “EOS, goddess of the dawn, embodies the transition from darkness to light, but also rebirth and resilience. It represents me well, which is why I chose this name.”
EOS is a Pogo 3. The vessel measures 6.5 meters in length, three meters in width, and 12 meters in height. The skipper described a powerful boat capable of covering the distance on an Atlantic crossing. “It’s a quite powerful boat that will, I hope, allow me to compete at the front of the race. I haven’t sailed it yet, so I don’t have certainties, but it’s a solid boat that will hold up, so I’m setting off with confidence, and that’s very important for crossing the Atlantic.”
The project has been made possible thanks to the association Des Pieds et des Mains, founded by Damien Seguin, as well as a private partner. Nathan Mesiano noted that his boat falls within an intermediate range in terms of budget. “It’s a mid-budget boat that I was lucky to acquire at a low cost thanks to the ‘Des Pieds et des Mains’ association by Damien Seguin and a private partner (Leclerc).”
The Mini Transat 2027 will mark the 50th anniversary of the race. The organizers have changed the route. The start will be from La Rochelle. A stopover is planned in the Canaries. The finish will be in Salvador de Bahia, Brazil. “I see this change positively because the race is longer, passing through the Doldrums, a mythical zone reputed to be very difficult, so it’s a way to gain experience in offshore racing.”
The presentation stirred strong emotions in the skipper: “Seeing so many people present today is touching; I had a tear in my eye when I popped the champagne. The general public also brings me a lot of strength, whether through donations via the online fundraising or through the many messages of support I receive. It’s great to see so many people backing me in this project.”
A preparation entering an active phase
The next steps involve getting to grips with the boat. The upcoming weeks will be dedicated to training sails. The goal is to understand the behavior of EOS in different conditions. This stage is essential before the start of the qualifying races.
The first sports event will take place on March 26 in Livorno, Italy. This race will kick off the qualification process for the Mini Transat 2027. The calendar promises to be dense. Progress will come through accumulating miles and gaining experience on the boat.
The project’s supporters have reiterated their commitment. Benjamin Mondou, president of Century 21 Lafage, expressed his attachment to this adventure: “Nathan exudes rare energy and light. His determination to prove that nothing is impossible moved me. That’s why I decided to give him all my support.” He also shared his feelings upon meeting the young navigator. “When I saw him for the first time, I was immediately moved. He’s such a bright and determined young person that you naturally want to support him. Through his smile, his project, his ambitions, I felt we absolutely had to help him.”
The boat is now ready. It’s time for sports preparation for the young navigator.
