After the mini-transat is before the next challenge: Burke's assessment: "We have what it takes to be among the front runners"

Stralsund's Lennart Burke finished his Mini-Transat première with many positive thoughts after some setbacks. The ambitious young "Vorpommern" skipper gave deep insights into his race on the day he crossed the finish line, which pushed him to his own limits but still gave him a strong boost for the future.

How do you feel shortly after crossing the finish line?

I'm really very happy to have arrived. It was a mixed journey, it was just crazy. I underestimated it a bit. Many people see the Mini-Transat as just one of many offshore regattas. But it's a very, very big challenge to beat a 6.50 metre racing yacht across the Atlantic in a sporty manner, to keep it fast time and time again. I'm really happy to have arrived, to have made it. That means a lot to me.

In 20th place, you missed the ambitious top ten...

I have very high expectations of myself. I still want to achieve a lot in sailing, learn a lot and make the most of myself. I often couldn't do that at this première. That was mentally tough for me. The start to the Atlantic leg was average. I then worked my way forwards very well. Everything went well at the beginning. But then came this thing that I perhaps wasn't experienced enough for...

You mean the point at which the south option proved to be more profitable on the leg, but you sailed more north-westerly close to the ideal line in less pressure and didn't react quickly enough?

Exactly. The decision after two days should have been: act immediately, do it, trust yourself, go south. But I was focussed on the briefing and was afraid of losing what I had achieved. I had done so much for it, invested so much. We prepared for the race with our coach, whom I trusted very much. We discussed the Atlantic stage with him. But the plan didn't work after two days. I was then left to my own devices. I tried to implement the briefing in the best possible way. And that worked at first. I didn't want to sacrifice that. After all, I'm still young. But after this mini-transat, I'm convinced that Melwin and I have what it takes to be among the front runners. But we made a decision on this second stage that backfired. I stand by that, even if it made the end of a very intensive two-year project a bit silly.

What exactly pushed you to your limits during the Atlantic stage?

It was day seven or eight. One or two days after the last chance to get south. Then I headed south too. When I finally got there and got the weather forecast, I was suddenly told there was no more wind. I had sailed south with the ambition of getting 17, 18 knots of wind there - I got 12, 13 . But my boat is designed for surfing. I only had a quarter of the distance. So I had finally got over myself to go down. And then there was no wind. Picking yourself up again is a mentally very, very difficult task.

You also had your share of technical challenges...

Yes, my spinnaker broke three times. And I lost my world receiver on the sixth day of the second leg.

"This is my big victory in this race"

Is your assessment positive despite the Atlantic blow?

The Mini-Transat is the best preparation for a life as a sailor. It's incredibly hard, but at the same time the best experience. My partners invested money in my project and me. I wanted to deliver, but I wasn't always able to do so according to my standards, and that was tough. I had some real low points in this race, I even cried. But when you're in a good mood and strong, you can build yourself up again. This is my big win in this race. It broke me, but I picked myself up again.

How did you get out of the slump?

I had a book with me. I usually have so much fun sailing that I don't need music or books. But I had packed it for emergencies: "Around the world with 50 euros" by Christopher Schacht. That saved me. I'm a great adventurer in my own heart. The author is only 19 years old, has just finished his A-levels and is travelling around the world by land and sea, living in a ghetto, being attacked, hungry, thirsty and experiencing different cultures. For me, the book was the perfect escape for a day. I leant into it. After that, I was able to start afresh in terms of sailing and performance. Normally you can't escape from a boat. But I had to get off once. That was important.

Will you remain loyal to the Mini class?

I want to keep going, keep growing and have the chance to prove what I can do. But I would like to attack on a different playground. Yes, you have to have done the mini-transat once. But it's really super tough! Now I want to develop further. I'm very interested in the Class40. Shorthanded sailing is exactly my thing. There will be no break for me. I want to step on the gas because I find it all very fulfilling. I want to keep going and many of those who have supported me also want to continue and value me as a person.

What characterises you in the eyes of your partners?

That's a difficult question. But I think what counts is the ability to reach the heart of the sponsors, to get the partners on fire and then to get a strong project off the ground together.

When will you land back home?

We may have to stay here until 3 December because that's when the boats are loaded. Then it's home and off to new shores