Reaching back to its 19th century maritime tradition, Bangor bid bon voyage Monday evening to one of its sailors as he embarked on a search for gold.

Bangor native Kevin Mahaney, who will skipper the U.S. Soling craft in the Summer Olympics in Barcelona, Spain, beginning July 25, received a warm sendoff from an estimated 200 well-wishers who gathered in the city’s West Market Square.

Mahaney, scheduled to depart for a training trip in Germany Tuesday before traveling to Barcelona, is the second known Bangor native to represent the U.S. in Olympic competition. Jeff Turner, who was born in Bangor but grew up in Brandon, Fla., was a member of the 1984 U.S. Olympic basketball team. Mahaney is believed to be the first resident of the city to compete for the U.S. in the Games.

“I hope I do you all proud when I go over there to the Olympics, because you certainly did me proud tonight,” said Mahaney, 30, after being praised in speeches by city officials and serenaded with the ragtime sounds of the Bangor Band during the two-hour celebration.

Mahaney will take charge of the U.S.’s 27-foot, single-masted craft and direct crewmen Douglas Kern of Austin, Texas, and Jim Brady of Annapolis, Md., in the international regatta. No U.S. Soling crew has failed to win a medal since Olympic competition began in 1972.

“I’d hate to be the first not to medal,” said Mahaney, who skippered his boat to victory in the Soling World Championship and U.S. Olympic trials in the past year. “I think we’ll be pretty strong over there.”

Among those praising Mahaney during the sendoff ceremony was Bangor City Council Chairman William Cohen, who read a proclamation recognizing Mahaney’s contribution to the city.

“One thing is very important,” said Cohen. “When we all leave the square, our one thought should be wishing Kevin the best of luck in representing the city of Bangor in the Olympics.”

City Councilor Richard Stone presented Mahaney’s wife, Sarah, with flowers and praised her contribution in supporting her husband as he sailed in regattas far from home over the past four years.

Brent Halsey, a friend of Mahaney’s and primary organizer of the event, read letters from Gov. John R. McKernan and U.S. Senator William Cohen. Halsey also presented Mahaney with a check for $2,000 raised from frienalso presented Mahaney with a check for $2,000 raised from friends to help defray training and competition costs.

“Whatever the outcome, I can’t think of anyone better to represent our state,” McKernan’s letter read, in part.

“You are carrying on a long and proud tradition of people from Maine sailing ships… Maine people have been among the world’s best sailors,” Cohen’s letter read, in part.

Steve Robbins, master of ceremonies, said the city is fortunate to have produced an Olympian.

“If you consider the billions of people on earth, and the few who are selected for this honor, we are fortunate to have one in Kevin,” Robbins said.

Mahaney expressed his gratitude to Bangor and its people.

“It’s very special, living in Bangor. I’ve traveled all over the world and there isn’t any place more special than Bangor. We have great moral substance and a great work ethic,” Mahaney said.