Class 40: New boat for Burke - "It's amazing when the dream is in front of you"

The client and owner of the Pogo 40 s4 built by Pogo Structures is Dr Joachim Wünning. He is inspiring 24-year-old Lennart Burke from Hamburg on his way to becoming an offshore professional. The new build has now been launched for the first time in France. "It's so cool when your dream is suddenly in front of you," exclaimed former mini-transat sailor Lennart Burke in Bénodet. Burke chartered the Class 40 "on fair terms" from the owner. His first impression: "Everything is so huge, so incredible. I consider it a great honour to be able to move this boat."

The new Class 40 is called "Meganisi". It is named after the Greek island of the same name on which its owner runs a sailing camp. In the late afternoon of 10 October, "Meganisi" with her "sexy black bow", as Burke describes the projectile with a wink, was craned into the water in France. Her skipper was already impressed beforehand: "The boat already radiated so much power in the hall. It wants to sail fast and give everything. And it radiates safety."

With top sailors on the pogo wave

After a fast construction time of 38 weeks at Pogo Structures in Finistère, France, the Class 40 will soon be ready to sail. The new Incidence sails and rigging will arrive next week. Burke's pride and joy is build number six from the Pogo s4 mould.

Build number one went to former Olympic pole vault champion and Class 40 skipper Jean Galfione. Construction number two sails with Cédric Chateau's "Sogestran - Seafrigo". Boat number three was given to a privateer, the fourth is Xavier Macaire's "Group Snef" and the fifth is Stan Thuret's "Everial". "And then there's us," says Burke, deeply satisfied with the collaboration with the French shipyard so far. The Pogo 40 s4 was designed by Guillaume Verdier.

"I want to establish myself as a professional sailor and grow"

Burke's plan is to relocate the new racer to the Portuguese capital of Lisbon for winter training. There are mainly logistical reasons for this, as he explains: "It's better for the winter than France in many ways: it's warmer, flights and accommodation are cheaper." With his project, the professional is taking a risk by switching from the Mini to the next higher class.

The down-to-earth but ambitious regatta sailor, who competes for the Norddeutscher Regatta Verein and the Stralsunder Segler-Verein, is still looking for partners for his project: "I want to establish myself and grow as a professional sailor. I really want that! I want to create the opportunity and learn to become one of the best in offshore sailing."

Lennart Burke: "I remain courageous"

According to Burke, he already has good conditions to work towards his big goal: With the new boat, he is going ahead. Together with his team, Burke is looking for a partner or partners who will back the talents of the young man from Mecklenburg-Vorpommern at this early stage and want to grow with him. With his Mini "Vorpommern" and Sparkasse Vorpommern, he had already achieved a small coup before participating in the Mini-Transat 2021. Click here to go to the homepage of Lennart Burke Sailing.

With around 1.5 million euros over four years, Burke says his campaign will have a strong foundation in future. "I can now use the boat to convey a completely different impression in my advertising," explains Burke, "I am initially responsible for the charter fees and have the opportunity to create something big and set new trends in the German sailing scene." Burke's credo on the way to the top: "I remain courageous."

Mini, Class 40, Imoca: Boris Herrmann has shown the way

Vendée Globe star Boris Herrmann was also once brave. Germany's most famous sailor today also had to fight more than once on his way to the top. He also sailed Mini and Class 40. Herrmann found a strong manager for his campaign in Holly Cova. Together with her network, they gained partners for the ascent and the resulting successes. Click here to go to Team Malizia's homepage.

Class 40 is seen as a stepping stone for entry into the premier Imoca class. From 15 January, the Imocas will also be active for the first time with teams as a new division in The Ocean Race. Before that, both the Imoca soloists and the best Class 40 sailors will be challenged in the Transat classic Route du Rhum from 6 November.

The Route du Rhum has to wait, the boat takes centre stage

Lennart Burke decided early and prudently against a hectic cold start to the Route du Rhum with the Class 40 new build in mind. He wants to take his time to test and optimise the new boat and not beat it across the Atlantic shortly after its first launch. This suits the approach of the young up-and-comer from Mecklenburg-Vorpommern: "Everything with a cool head!"