Class 40: Burke and Fink continue to "fly" - project secured until July 2024
Tatjana Pokorny
· 22.06.2023
This is the redeeming news for Lennart Burke and Melwin Fink: the two young professionals can continue their ambitious Class 40 project for at least a year. This was anything but clear during their first major regatta together. Despite promising talks with major companies, 24-year-old Lennart Burke from the Norddeutscher Regatta Verein and his 21-year-old team-mate Melwin Fink from the Schaumburg-Lippischer Seglerverein started the Normandy Channel Race with just 180 euros left in their team account and an uncertain future on their Class 40.
After the Normandy Channel Race, suddenly everyone was talking to us" (Melwin Fink)
In the Normandy Channel Race, however, the German Class 40 duo impressed the competition and fans with eighth place. "After the race, everyone was suddenly talking to us. Before that, we were often lonely and alone in our training group. Only our coach Tanguy Le Glatin really got to grips with us and prepared us well," says Melwin Fink, recalling the weeks leading up to the first major regatta together with Lennart Burke as the Next Generation Sailing Team.
"After the Normandy Channel Race, all the top people like Ian Lipinski and Vincent Riou suddenly wanted to know how we downwind VMG could be so fast, how our project was set up and how we approached things," recalls Melwin Fink. And he says: "We were well prepared for the race by our coach." The fact that Burke and Fink will now be able to realise their Class 40 plans for at least one year is a source of elation and gratitude among the young team.
We always stuck together, even when things got tight" (Melwin Fink)
"We had to fight hard, but we always stuck together, even when things got tight," says Melwin Fink. He continues: "Giving up is not an option for either of us. We agree on that. The Class 40 campaign has cost us 100,000 euros so far, and we've managed that too."
The saviour of the project is Klaus-Dieter Schmädicke. The owner of the telemarketing company Sign for Com is a passionate sailor himself and has his sailing boat moored on the Baltic Sea. He had already supported Melwin Fink with his Mini-Transat premiere in 2021. Now he's back on board to inspire the sailing duo on their way to the international professional scene. His motivation: "I already supported Melwin Fink two years ago because I found him to be a very motivated and, above all, committed sailor who impressed me greatly. The fact that he then also delivered such a great mini-transat was not to be expected."
I think it's admirable what the boys are doing" (Klaus-Dieter Schmädicke)
Klaus-Dieter Schmädicke continued to monitor Melwin Fink's development: "The team idea with Lennart Burke is strong. There are synergy effects and I think it will be a great project. I think it's good that two such committed sailors have joined forces in this challenging arena, especially in the junior sector. There are strong forces at work in this area, particularly in France. Melwin has already learnt in the Mini-Transat how difficult it can be to work your way up."
The telemarketing entrepreneur from Bonn is convinced that he is giving wings to a promising alliance for the future. "I have a fridge and a pantry on board, but I think it's admirable what the guys are doing. Of course, you can't work out what you'll get back. You can only hope that the brand will become better known. Schmädicke says of the young sailing team: "I wish them both success in achieving their goals and turning their commitment into a career. Boris Herrmann is a good role model. And you also need parents who allow and support this."
Burke and Fink start the "little Transat" with determination
Lennart Burke and Melwin Fink can now put the pedal to the metal and realise their plans for the next twelve months. They are preparing for the upcoming classic race from Les Sables d'Olonne to Horta in the Azores and back with a preparateur. The starting shot will be fired on 27 June. As with other teams, the new Pogo is not without its problems. "The keel has quality problems," explains Melwin Fink. Pogo had offered a new keel for 40,000 euros, but that is too much, which is why the issue has been put on hold for the time being. Nevertheless, the young team had to invest 20,000 euros in the structure of the boat. "Three boat builders did it," says Fink. Pogo provided the material, but nothing more.
Despite a long to-do list and the technical struggles on land, Lennart Burke and Melwin Fink will start the "little Transat" with a lot of optimism and determination thanks to their new project partner. The two Germans should now have the prominent competitors on their radar. "We are happy and looking forward to the next race," says Melwin Fink. The German duo's further regatta plans include a start in the Rolex Fastnet Race. In autumn, Lennart Burke and Melwin Fink want to compete in their first Transat Jacques Vabre together.
Rolex Fastnet Race, Transat Jacques Vabre and Caribbean 600 are on the programme
In the Transat Jacques Vabre, the Class 40 sailors will also meet Boris Herrmann for the first time in a regatta, as the Imoca "Malizia - Seaexplorer" is also due to start in the Transat Jacques Vabre after the Ocean Race in autumn. The Next Generation Sailing Team has also already made plans for 2024: the Caribbean 600, the Atlantic Cup with its three legs and the Transat Québec Saint-Malo are on the programme.
