When Boris Herrmann sailed his first Vendée Globe in the 2020/21 race, Konstantin was nine years old – and watched the race on TV. A moment that changed everything. Not ‘someday’, not ‘maybe’: he wants to become an offshore sailor. The dream quickly turned into a concrete plan. He now has a Mini 6.50 from Team Next Generation He has acquired the necessary skills, is setting up a campaign and has his sights firmly set on the big goal. What drives a 14-year-old today to join the training ground for future offshore professionals – an interview.
YACHT: Konstantin, at 14, you’re very young for a Mini 6.50 campaign. Where does your desire to compete in the Mini Transat in 2029 come from?
Konstantin Kurzeja: I’ve always been very sporty – cycling, running, skiing and ski touring are an integral part of my daily life. But during the pandemic, sailing has taken on a whole new significance for me. I found out about the Vendée Globe on YouTube – and that a German, Boris Herrmann, was taking part.
Fascinated, I told my parents all about it. My father and he still know each other from their days sailing 505s. So we followed the race together, round the clock – including the tragic crash just before the finish line.
"That was the moment it really grabbed me."
I then began my sailing career in an Optimist at the Bavarian Yacht Club (BYC). My partner Julius Loesti and I then switched to the 29er class. In 2025, we finished the Euro-Cup season in fourth place in the U17 standings and came third at the Euro-Cup in Koper – a strong season of which we are both proud.
Getting started in the offshore scene
And when did the idea of the Mini Transat first come to mind?
In the winter of 2024/25, when Charlie Dalin sailed away from the rest of the field in the Vendée Globe. That’s when we asked ourselves: where did the great offshore sailors start out, and what’s the next step? The answer was almost always the same – in the Mini 6.50 class. So: how do you go about getting hold of a boat like that?
We got in touch with Melwin Fink and Lennart Burke and met up with them at boot Düsseldorf. We eventually took delivery of one of their Vektors – built in 2024, hull number 1125. We took delivery of the boat at the end of April 2025. It was initially moored at my home club, the BYC on Lake Starnberg.
To really get to know the boat, I embarked on my first five-week training session in Greece – both on my own and alongside my co-skipper, Max Seydl. Despite some very strong winds and rough seas at times, we were already able to gain a great deal of valuable experience with the 1125.
You got in touch with Melwin Fink and Lennart Burke quite early on. How did that come about?
Melwin has been convincing us of the merits of this project since 2024. After many face-to-face conversations – and having read his book – there was no turning back for me. I want to sail the Mini Transat. The Next Generation team is far more than just a boat supplier to us. Tom Wehde, helmsman of the sister boat 1124, is also part of the team. Together, they support us in every way – with technical and organisational matters, but also on a personal level. To me, Melwin, Lennart and Tom are true role models, both as sailors and as people.
You’ve already gained quite a bit of experience on your Mini. Do you see the Mini Transat as a goal – or as a stepping stone?
As a starting point. I’ve thought the bigger picture through. I’d like to move on to sailing a Class 40 after the Mini. The technical aspects are absolutely fascinating and challenging – and the fact that this class is sailed as a two-man crew is particularly important to me. Exploring such a demanding class together with a partner – that fascinates me even more.
“My dream is the Vendée Globe – one day”
Do you have a role model?
Boris Herrmann is definitely a great role model – he was the catalyst for it all.
But Melwin, Lennart and Tom are also very important to me, both as sailors and as people. My dream is to sail the Vendée Globe – one day.
A big goal – why this one in particular?
It’s the biggest race in the world. It’s the dream. That’s why I got into it in the first place. It’s just like sailing a Mini: once you’ve started, you never want to stop.
The Mini-Transat scene is competitive – it’s the classic gateway to offshore racing. How do you intend to hold your own there?
The community is a key element. At our stand at boot Düsseldorf 2026, I had the chance to get to know the German Mini group quite well. Even though everyone sails on their own, the sense of camaraderie and mutual support are essential.
At my training base in Barcelona, too, we’re a strong group that works very well together, both on and off the water. Incidentally, Barcelona is one of only two recognised mini-training bases in the world – alongside the French Atlantic coast. Anyone who wants to prepare seriously for the Mini-Transat simply cannot do without these locations.
I don’t think my age is a disadvantage. My coaches from the 29er class are also supporting me in the Mini 6.50, and I can apply a lot of my tactical knowledge straight away. Ultimately, it’s the hours spent on the water and the commitment to really getting to grips with the sport that count. The class has a very French flavour – I don’t speak the language very well yet, but I’m really looking forward to learning it.
What’s your first impression of the Mini scene?
The community is brilliant. What impresses me most is that everyone helps everyone else. Without that attitude, this sport simply wouldn’t work. For me, seamanship is a very important part of this endeavour. I also find the different sailors really fascinating – their drive, their vision, their stories. We’re all very different, and yet we’re all united by the same passion.
Moving towards our goal with plenty of support
How are things going with the funding for your project?
We are still looking for sponsors. Last year we already received a grant to get the project off the ground; this year we are receiving active support from a private individual and are in contact with manufacturers who have agreed to help. What we are looking for now is a partner — a company that would like to play a part in our story.
Do you think you’ll get some criticism too?
Absolutely. There’ll always be some – but that’s not a problem for me. Criticism helps you improve. I need to learn to deal with it, reflect on things and then work on them together with my team, my co-skipper Max and my coaches. That’s all part of it.
How do the people around you – family and friends – react to your ambitious plans?
My family are very supportive. We’re on this journey together, which presents us all with completely new challenges – it can be exhausting at times, but the positive moments definitely outweigh the negative ones.
The support I get from my school is particularly important, because without it, I simply wouldn’t have the time to pursue my goals. Some of my sailing mates might think, ‘Konsti’s a bit mad’ – but I know that if I need help, I can count on my friends.
Some people might not understand why I approach things this way, or might think I’m too young for it. But I can’t help it. It’s my absolute passion.
How are you getting on with your preparations at the moment?
I’m still sailing the 29er – that’s still very important to me. In the Mini class, I’m planning to clock up 1,000 regatta miles or more this year. A large part of that will consist of double-handed regattas. The good thing is that I can already start clocking up miles for 2029. I’d like to sail the qualifying regattas in 2027/28 so that I’ve accumulated enough miles. This is also important because I want to sail the race whilst I’m still under 18.
Also on board: a good cause
Your campaign also has a social aspect. What is it?
I’m with my The 'Bearers of Hope' Project the foundation of the same name, which supports children in need. Through our involvement, we want to give something back to the foundation – because I am doing well and have the opportunity to make a difference.
How exactly does your sailing project fit into that?
There was a charity gala featuring a silent auction, where various projects were up for bid. We were also there and offered the highest bidder the chance to sail the ‘La Ruta de la Sal’ regatta from Barcelona to Ibiza with us. In the end, we were the project with the highest bid and managed to raise 26,000 euros for the Hoffnungsträger projects. That made me incredibly happy and proud.
One last look ahead: What drives you?
The big goal remains the Vendée Globe. But until then, every mile, every regatta, every night at sea is a step towards it. If I cross the finish line in the Mini Transat and everyone is cheering – that would be an amazing feeling. And then it’s on to the next challenge.
More information about Konstantin Kurzeja and his project can be found here.
Fabian Boerger
Editor News & Panorama
