Finn is a dab hand at sailing: he grins from ear to ear when he talks about his sailing adventures on board his optimist dinghy "Hurricane". And if it were up to him, he would love to be on the water. Of course, he also plays tennis - mainly in winter - and he is quite good at school. But sailing is what he enjoys most. His favourite area? Of course the Lübeck Bay!

It all started in an Optimist dinghy on the river Wakenitz. At the Lübeck Yacht-Club the little Finn learned sailing from the bottom up and got his sailing licence in an Optimist. At that time, he was a first-grader and could not yet read and write properly. But he passed the theoretical exam anyway, his mother Ulrike (43) proudly tells us. As her husband Fritz (51), she also loves sailing, especially in the Bay of Lübeck. She then takes her own boat to Grömitz and Neustadt or, if time permits, up to Denmark or the island of Rügen.

Finn was in love with sailing right from the cradle, and you can see it when he sails across the Baltic Sea today sailing in high winds. He is not afraid to be alone in his Optimist, even if he sometimes has to go out in wind force 4 to 5 during competitions. The dangerous thing then are the gusts, he says expertly, you always have to watch out for them. And has he ever capsized in a storm? Yes, but that wasn't bad, I just stood on the sword in the water and turned the boat around again, he tells us in a casual tone. No big deal, pure beginner training.

Of course, Finn always wears a life jacket over his neo on board and he has learned to swim. Of course. He is especially proud of his large waterproof regatta watch on his wrist - with countdown and timer function, of course. He does not take a mobile phone on board. What else do you need for sailing? Endurance is important, explains his father Fritz, an experienced sailor, but strength, team spirit and courage are also required. And of course, good tactics and the right bite to be the first to cross the finish line. Somehow sailing is also a good school for life, he states with satisfaction.

Finn has already sailed ten regattas this season for the LYC, in Kiel, Schwerin, Eckernförde or simply on site on the river Wakenitz in the heart of Lübeck. This is always a logistical challenge for the whole family. They are always busy on the weekends. “We are actually always on the road”, says mother Ulrike with a laugh, “but sailing is our great passion!” Finn has just become national junior champion. What comes next? “I don't know yet”, says Finn and grins a little embarrassed. Now he will have to do his homework, his favourite subjects at school are sport and maths. What does Finn want to be when he grows up? Sail maker! He answers as quick as a shot, beaming with happiness. That was quite an obvious answer: something to do with sailing. That's definitely a love for life, that's for sure. Hats off, little Finn, keep up the good work, have lots of fun alone on board and fair winds!