Why go it alone when it promises more success together? Former mini aces Lennart Burke and Melwin Fink have been asking themselves this question more and more often recently. Now the two young professionals have found a brilliant answer: As the Next Generation Sailing Team, 24-year-old Burke from Stralsund and his 20-year-old sailing partner Melwin Fink from Bad Salzuflen are heading for the future as a duo.
"We want to build a whole new base"
The basis of the collaboration is Burke's Class 40 new build "Meganisi", for which he now shares responsibility with Melwin Fink. To this end, the high-flyers even founded a joint company, Next Generation Boating GmbH, on 2 November, which they run as equal partners.
"We want to build a whole new foundation," says Lennart Burke about the joint venture. Burke had already worked closely with Fink in the 2021 Mini-Transat when the two were still opponents. Melwin Fink, who was originally aiming for a second Mini-Transat campaign, has now changed his focus. This was triggered by the rejection he received three weeks ago from the Mini-Transat organisers, who no longer gave him a chance to qualify for the upcoming race in 2023.
The background to this tough decision: Fink had to abandon his new build in April of this year during a storm off Mallorca. The boat ended up as a total loss. Fink pulled through, ordered another new Mini, refitted it again at great expense and fought for his qualification. However, because he was stripped of starting places in important qualifying regattas due to the loss of his boat, he was no longer able to fulfil the criteria despite all his efforts.
Gaining valuable experience with Simon Koster on "Banque du Léman"
Instead of moaning and complaining, Fink has reorientated himself. Together with Lennart Burke, he was part of the transfer crew of current Route du Rhum fifth-placed Simon Koster on his Class 40 "Banque du Léman". Together they brought his boat to the starting harbour of Saint-Malo. Burke says: "The man is a great person, a machine as a sailor and one with his boat. He gave us so many good tips. He forgets about communication, sleeping and eating. For him, it's all about the boat, the boat, the boat."
Burke and Fink then brought the new Class 40 "Meganisi" to Portugal together, where she has moved into her winter storage in Box 10 of the Cascais marina. The two young Germans plan to train here for around three weeks until the end of the year. They will continue straight away in the new year.
"We're doing everything together from now on. After the failure of my Mini-Transat campaign, we decided to pool our expertise, sponsors and contacts," says Melwin Fink. "The aim of our project is to bring together and utilise the partners, the strengths and the opportunities." The merger is in full swing. "First we see who has what, who can do what, who can contribute what, and then we structure it," says Burke, explaining the plan.
The sporting goals: three double-handed classics and the Transat Jacques Vabre
Both Burke and Fink have realised that the alliance will strengthen them. "Too many people only ever cook their own soup," says Fink, "we are both mega young and can achieve a lot together." The sporting goals have already been set. Three double-handed classics are on the programme before the first major summit assault: the Normandy Channel Race, the Les Sables-Les Açores and the Rolex Fastnet Race. Lennart Burke and Melwin Fink then want to compete in their first Transat Jacques Vabre together in autumn 2023.
"It's a very tight programme," says Burke, "but these are attractive and first-class races - both from a sporting perspective and for our partners. We won't be going for the big results straight away, but we want to prove that we can go far together." The duo has the right boat for the job. The sailors describe the new Pogo as a "weapon", "incredible", "a serious racing machine" and "something really big with a lot of speed potential".
"The boat hit the waves like there was no tomorrow"
The new construction has already proven to be reliable and promising during the transfer. Burke explains: "We are happy that 'Meganisi' has come through the weather brilliantly. It was rough and tough. The boat hit waves like there was no tomorrow. But everything went well. We may not have been in 110 per cent race mode, but we were pushing hard." Melwin Fink interjects: "Oh, I think we've been at 100 per cent before." They both laugh. And Burke is pleased: "I think we've done everything right with a new Pogo. We have a super-quality boat with nothing wrong with it."
It remains a great honour to be able to sail such a boat, says Burke. The new Class 40 is fast as the wind, good for her career and stands out. "It makes me feel very positive about the future that Melwin and I are now tackling this project together. It also means that the burden is spread across several shoulders: We have a lot more potential together."
Burke on Fink: "I appreciate his perseverance and sustainability"
Melwin Fink has currently put his law studies on hold. Both he and Burke are determined and fully committed to their mission. They are aiming for a professional career and value each other. "What I generally like about Melwin is that he's pretty similar to me. We have comparable approaches and the same passion. I appreciate his perseverance and sustainability. There aren't that many sailors who have that kind of stamina."
Melwin Fink agrees: "I can only concur. We have pretty much the same views, want to prepare everything very intensively and be 100 per cent ready for races. We are already very well-rehearsed. And now officially a team!"
