Mini-Transat: Burke and Fink inspire the next generation - the opportunity for Mini-Transat talents

There are not often opportunities like this: talented sailors with mini-transat ambitions can now apply to Lennart Burke and Melwin Fink's team Next Generation Sailing as skippers for the 2027 edition. The Class40 up-and-comers, who recently opened a shipyard in Hamburg with ten employees, want to inspire the next generation with their campaign. Together with the Osterrath company, they have relaunched a project that had already been started but did not initially lead to the happy ending hoped for by everyone involved.

Time-out for Kroner, the mini-campaign continues

Team member Jonas Kroner has to withdraw from the project for health reasons. Originally, Jonas Kroner had wanted to take part in the Mini-Transat with the Vector-Mini from Next Generation Sailing as early as 2025. However, according to a team statement, even after extending the campaign by four years, it turned out that this goal was not possible for Jonas Kroner "at the current time". Burke and Fink said it was now important "that the young sailor recovers his health".

The Next Generation Boating press release also stated that Jonas Kroner would continue to be "highly valued as a person and as a sailor" by the Next Generation Sailing Team. Jonas Kroner has epitomised what the team is now looking for: he is "young, hungry and talented". Which is why Lennart Burke and Melwin Fink are keeping their fingers crossed for Jonas Kroner "that he gets back on his feet soon and can start a new campaign soon".

However, Jonas Kroner's time out does not mean the end of the planned mini-Transat campaign for 2027. On the contrary. Melwin Fink emphasised: "Giving up is not an option!" That's why: "We are looking for a talented sailor whose dream is to sail the Mini-Transat 2027." Burke and Fink are looking for a sailor who is no older than 25. Good sailing skills and at least some offshore experience are also important requirements.

A lot is demanded, a lot is offered

It is also clear that the young fathers of this mini-transat campaign want candidates "with a lot of commitment and motivation". Lennart Burke and Melwin Fink know from their own experience that a mini-campaign demands a lot from daring soloists. They themselves describe it as follows in their reference to the talent search that is now underway: "Sailing in the Mini 6.5 means first and foremost solving problems alone on board, pushing yourself to your limits and beyond and not letting yourself be thrown off course or out of the boat so easily."

According to the project initiators of the talent search for the Mini-Transat 2027, it is important to "cope with the loneliness on board and not be discouraged by defeats". The team will support and train the selected applicant on the course for the transatlantic mini-solo. An already equipped Vector 6.5 is available for the project and the new young skipper. According to the team, the winner will have "the opportunity to concentrate fully on preparing for the mini-transat".

The Trans Ocean association is also involved in the search for talent, i.e. in the Mini. At the same time, the founders of Next Generation Boating have signalled that their company also has job opportunities to offer young talent. This means that they are also offering the opportunity to earn a living as part of the campaign.

How talents can apply

Applications are welcome in writing or by video, but not via social networks. The closing date for applications is 30 September. Applications should be sent to this e-mail address: bewerbung@nextgenerationboating.de. According to the project initiators, the most promising candidates will be invited to a personal audition at project partner Osterrath in Bad Laasphe after the applications have been analysed.

The project description states the following about the upcoming decision: "The Next Generation Sailing Team, together with the main sponsor and selected experts, will decide who will sail the Minit-Transat 2027 under their patronage."

Candidates can register here on the homepage of Next Generation Boating look around.

Click here for the much-watched YACHT report on Lennart Burke and Melwin Fink's entry into the Class40. The clip is a little older, but you can get to know the two sailing professionals a little and find out what makes them tick: