Eighteen-Year-Old Nathan Mesiano Sets His Sights on the 2027 Mini Transat
A young sailor's remarkable journey from tragedy to ambition in the world of competitive sailing.
Nathan Mesiano, an 18-year-old sailor from the Beaulieu-sur-Mer region, is preparing for the 2027 Mini Transat, a solo transatlantic sailing race.
A vice-world champion in catamaran sailing for under-25s, Mesiano has cultivated a remarkable career despite facing significant personal challenges.
His passion for the sea began at the age of six when he joined the local nautical club.
In 2018, Mesiano enrolled in a sports study program in Antibes, specializing in catamaran sailing, and continues to train in Saint-Laurent-du-Var.
However, at the age of 15, his life took a devastating turn when he was struck by a train at the Nice train station in a suicide attempt, resulting in the amputation of his right arm.
Remarkably, three months after the accident, Mesiano returned to sailing, converting his rehabilitation into physical training for the French sailing championship, which occurred two months later.
"I told the doctors: we stop everything, I want to focus on this goal," he stated.
Just five months after his tragedy, he competed in the Nacra 15 class, the Olympic category for youth.
Since then, he has recorded multiple successes with his catamaran S16 team, finishing third at the 2023 European Championships and being crowned vice-world youth champions in 2024. Despite the absence of sailing events at the Paralympics, Mesiano competes against able-bodied sailors.
He aims to demonstrate his abilities, stating, "I have always wanted to prove that I am just as capable as others, and when I perform poorly, it is not because of my arm but because I did not perform well."
Currently in his final year of secondary education, Mesiano takes classes at home, allowing him to work as an instructor at his sailing club.
This role helps him share his passion for sailing while also funding his primary goal: participating in the Mini Transat in 2027. This transatlantic race links Brittany with Guadeloupe, featuring a stopover in the Canary Islands, all conducted without assistance or contact with land, apart from using a radio for emergencies and weather updates.
To participate, Mesiano needs to raise €120,000: €50,000 for a second-hand boat and €70,000 for two years of training, travel, equipment, food, and spare parts.
He has launched an online fundraising campaign, which garnered considerable interest, raising €1,460 within days.
However, he recognizes that this initial amount is insufficient.
Mesiano is actively seeking sponsors and envisions a partnership that aligns with his values, such as with a company that manufactures prosthetics.
With unwavering determination and humility, Mesiano is training at a specialized center in Marseille to adapt to solo sailing.
His journey reflects resilience and personal growth, serving as a compelling narrative of exceptional perseverance.
A vice-world champion in catamaran sailing for under-25s, Mesiano has cultivated a remarkable career despite facing significant personal challenges.
His passion for the sea began at the age of six when he joined the local nautical club.
In 2018, Mesiano enrolled in a sports study program in Antibes, specializing in catamaran sailing, and continues to train in Saint-Laurent-du-Var.
However, at the age of 15, his life took a devastating turn when he was struck by a train at the Nice train station in a suicide attempt, resulting in the amputation of his right arm.
Remarkably, three months after the accident, Mesiano returned to sailing, converting his rehabilitation into physical training for the French sailing championship, which occurred two months later.
"I told the doctors: we stop everything, I want to focus on this goal," he stated.
Just five months after his tragedy, he competed in the Nacra 15 class, the Olympic category for youth.
Since then, he has recorded multiple successes with his catamaran S16 team, finishing third at the 2023 European Championships and being crowned vice-world youth champions in 2024. Despite the absence of sailing events at the Paralympics, Mesiano competes against able-bodied sailors.
He aims to demonstrate his abilities, stating, "I have always wanted to prove that I am just as capable as others, and when I perform poorly, it is not because of my arm but because I did not perform well."
Currently in his final year of secondary education, Mesiano takes classes at home, allowing him to work as an instructor at his sailing club.
This role helps him share his passion for sailing while also funding his primary goal: participating in the Mini Transat in 2027. This transatlantic race links Brittany with Guadeloupe, featuring a stopover in the Canary Islands, all conducted without assistance or contact with land, apart from using a radio for emergencies and weather updates.
To participate, Mesiano needs to raise €120,000: €50,000 for a second-hand boat and €70,000 for two years of training, travel, equipment, food, and spare parts.
He has launched an online fundraising campaign, which garnered considerable interest, raising €1,460 within days.
However, he recognizes that this initial amount is insufficient.
Mesiano is actively seeking sponsors and envisions a partnership that aligns with his values, such as with a company that manufactures prosthetics.
With unwavering determination and humility, Mesiano is training at a specialized center in Marseille to adapt to solo sailing.
His journey reflects resilience and personal growth, serving as a compelling narrative of exceptional perseverance.
