Young, determined, offshore: Carla Hénon-Steck is on her way to the Mini Transat 2027

She has just graduated from high school - but Carla Hénon-Steck, 18, already has her next adventure lined up. While her peers are travelling or doing an FSJ, she is pursuing a different plan: in 2027, she wants to compete in the Mini Transat solo with a Mini 6.50. In the YACHT interview, she talks about her project and the hurdles that still lie ahead:

Carla, you want to go to the Mini Transat 2027, why?

Offshore sailing has always fascinated me. As a child, I thought it would be cool to be part of something like that. Then I came across the Mini Transat and thought it was a good way to get into offshore sailing - for a comparatively small budget.

Do you see the Mini Transat as a goal or is it your entry into the offshore scene?

More like the start. I currently want to continue sailing offshore after the Transat, then also on larger boats.

How did you come up with this idea?

My father is French and our family has a house in Brittany. We go there every summer. It's the place where I learnt to sail when I was five. The municipality is only a few kilometres from Lorient, so you often see Imocas or Ultim trimarans there. That fascinated me even as a child. My family has always followed the Vendée Globe, and whenever we were there, this world appealed to me. Again, I grew up near Stuttgart.

Now you want to immerse yourself in this world with the Mini Transat. It wouldn't be the first time you've crossed the Atlantic.

Exactly. In 2022/23 I travelled twice with the Thor Heyerdahl and the "classroom under sail" across the Atlantic. That confirmed my decision to cross the Atlantic alone. There were a lot of people on the traditional sailing boat, it was quite relaxed, not so fast. Now I want to cross again on my own.

The Mini 6.50 scene is regarded as a competitive regatta scene. Why like this and not otherwise?

It simply excites me to compete with others. I like to get half a knot of speed out of the boat. When you sail completely alone, you don't have this challenge, this incentive to be faster.

More on the topic:

• Mini 6.50 newcomer: Jannes Llull wants to compete in the Mini Transat in 2027
• Mini-Transat: Inspired by Burke and Fink - Tom Wehde wins talent competition
• Mini-Transat: New faces - new blood for the next generation

Do you have any role models from the offshore sailing scene?

I have a lot Clarisse Crémer and Samantha Davies and since the last Vendée, of course Violet Dorange.

What impresses you about people like Dorange?

Definitely the fighting spirit. The will to achieve something at such a young age. It's no mean feat to get a Vendée Globe project like this off the ground. I'm inspired by the fact that she succeeded.

Apart from your age, what sets you apart from other sailors?

I am very determined. If I set my mind to something, I want to achieve it.

You want to take part in 2027. Where are you at in the journey?

I'm still looking for sponsors. As I've only just left school, I can't afford something like a boat yet. I spent the whole of 2025 on it.

How tedious is that?

Very. It worked well for me via contacts, but very few companies reply. There are many rejections and standard emails. It's very tedious. I have a permanent sponsor and I'm in talks with others. But yes, funding is a good question.

Do you already have a boat?

Not yet - but it looks like that could change soon.

The mini 6.50 class is not completely new to you.

Exactly, I've already competed in the Calvados Cup.

How difficult do you think it will be for you to establish yourself?

My experience so far has been that everyone in the scene is quite open and helpful. In terms of sailing, of course, it also depends on the boat whether you can sail at the front. That's crucial: having a boat should also make it easier to find sponsors. However, it has to start soon, as I need enough nautical miles to be able to qualify.

When you think about sailing across the Atlantic next year. What work still lies ahead of you?

I haven't sailed single-handed yet (laughs). I'll have to develop that. However, I hope to get into it quickly, but I'm confident that it will work out. There will certainly be one or two more challenges. I'll see when the time comes.