The tradition of Sevillian sailors at the Olympic Games continues. The pioneer, María del Carmen Vaz, was followed by Blanca Manchón and Marina Alabau, gold in London 2012 in the RSX class. The last link in this chain is responsible for Pillar Lamadrid27 years old, who earned the right to be in Paris first by securing a place on the Spanish team and then, via the World Championship and the Reina Sofía Trophy, beating the other national candidate to become an Olympian: Nicole van der Velden. Lamadrid, based in The port of Santa Maríais now leaving for French lands to fulfill a dream. Because just being there is. «I’m not a big fan of packing suitcases and I tend to always leave it to the last minute, but this suitcase is special. Just having all the COE material and the suitcase with ‘Spain’ on it… something big is coming“, says the sailor enthusiastically.
“Actually, I don't have the start of the Olympic Games in mind so much as the competition of the season, which we have been working on all year and where everything is being fine-tuned. I'm starting to feel lighter, that spark is appearing in the water that we're looking for in the competition.I have more time to be with myself, to be mentally focused and to relax. The pre-competition moment is very beautiful for all athletes, even with the nerves that the moment is approaching!” emphasizes Lamadrid, who cannot be present at the opening ceremony for logistical reasons. Because sailing competes in the Bay of Marseille. «The parade clothes, when they arrive, they arrive, but in my case I will not be with the team on the opening day… Be 400 kilometers away from Paris and start two days after the ceremonymakes everything a bit complicated and we chose to prioritize peace. Before the closing, we obviously left the door open,” he says.
Lamadrid has thought of everything, even separating the hobbies of the rest concerned as far as competition allows. «I like books more. I will not miss 'Invicto' by Marcos Vázquez for moments of reflection, and a novel to disconnect, 'Loba Negra' by Juan Gómez-Jurado”, reveals the Sevillian, who has already received advice for the coming days. tensions ahead. “Some friends have already advised me to create my own bubble, so as not to overwhelm myself mentally. I think that during the Games one of them is going to change the SIM card and limit the social networks in some way. The goal is to be one hundred percent focused on performing in the water“, To explain.
Of course, there is room in the luggage for a family souvenir talisman. “I'll take a flag of Spain that my grandmother sewed (whose name was also Pilar) for Hispanic Heritage Day and which my mother later signed so that we would remember the family every time we competed. It gives me strength to remember mine, those who are here and those who are gone, knowing that they are with me no matter what; and also the power of Spanish pride that fills me inside», emphasizes Lamadrid, who will not be alone in Marseille. The entire sailing team will of course support her, but also close people, family and friends. «There will be more than just family support. They have set up an expedition as a fan club! I am so happy that there are people who live this experience as their own, that I know that the result does not matter if you can simply be there. We will see many Spanish flags in the Bay of Marseille,» he says.
Cold mind that forgets expectations
Now that the great pre-Olympic period is on the table, the Seville resident is ambitious. He is not going to the Games for tourism, on the contrary. 'We have shown that we are allowed to be thereand we have continued to work in that direction. The fact that the results have not been entirely satisfactory lately does not mean anything, because we know the potential we have. Now we just have to keep a cool head, forget about expectations and go out and compete as we know how. The final result will be a consequence of how we adapt to the competition week.», explains Lamadrid, who is among the medal candidates thanks to his results in recent years at international level.
What no one can take away from him is the path he has taken. To be able to say in the future that it was at least the Spanish representative at a Games in the Olympic debut of the iQFoil Sailing Class. «I am still not aware that the fact that I am here is already a fact and an objective that has been largely achieved – he acknowledges. I am clear The goal now is to enjoy it to the fullest, to enjoy the moment “I'm going to be present in every minute of the race and give absolutely everything I have to give. I'll be happy with that, and that's the only thing I can control. The result will be consistent,” believes Lamadrid, for whom “August 2 (when the final is played) is going to be a spectacular and exciting day, whatever happens.” “I'm sure.”