Atlantic Cup: After thunderstorm battle, whale collision and fog cancellation - Burke and Fink sixth

A regatta series can hardly offer much more variety than the Atlantic Cup: Lennart Burke and Melwin Fink missed out on the podium in the American East Coast multi-division with sixth place, but would love to compete in the US eventing competition for Class 40 duos again in the future. In the small but excellent field of eight teams, of which the only experienced American crew on "Scowling Dragon" had already retired after stage one from Charleston to Newport, the young German duo missed out on a better result, especially in stage two from Newport to Partland.

Atlantic Cup: No chance for Burke and Fink to catch up in the final

After finishing third at the end of stage one, Lennart Burke and Melwin Fink suffered setbacks, especially in sixth place on stage two. "The second stage ruined our podium finish," said Melwin Fink at the end of the Atlantic Cup. The German "Sign for Com" also crossed the finish line in sixth place in the first of the originally planned two final coastal races off Portland. There was no chance for Burke and Fink to catch up, as the second coastal race had to be cancelled due to dense fog and visibility of less than 50 metres. Nevertheless, the "Sign for Com" co-skippers finished the Atlantic Cup with enthusiasm, as Melwin Fink explains in an interview:

The last of the four races in the Atlantic Cup - the second coastal race off Portland - had to be cancelled. Was the cancellation justified?

The fog was very heavy, you couldn't see 50 metres, it was madness. It would not have been possible to take off.

With sixth place, you didn't achieve your very ambitious podium target in the Atlantic Cup. Could more have been possible?

Sixth place was not our goal. We had hoped for more, but a lot has happened and the competition is super strong. And unfortunately we had a few problems. With the small field and the short distances, that's obviously very dramatic. However, we are still very happy, we know that we have a fast boat and we know the mistakes.

Where did you leave the feathers?

The second leg ruined our place on the podium. All the things that happened are unfortunately difficult to iron out on such a short course: the whale collision, the broken water stay and a wrong decision in the doldrums.

When and how did the whale collision occur?

We made a full stop about 40 nautical miles after the start in Newport on course for Portland at a speed of about twelve knots under Code Zero. A piece broke out of the keel bomb. Fortunately, the structure was not damaged and is completely intact. Luckily nothing happened to us either, because we were both sitting down at the time.

Have you seen the whale?

In the wake as he swam away. Its fin was very large. It could have been a fin whale, of which there are many in these waters. We saw a few more the next day. They grow to around 20 metres.

Taking part in the Atlantic Cup was a first for you. Did you enjoy the race overall?

The Atlantic Cup was a mega event. Superbly organised! Everything ran like clockwork. We sailed from the south of the USA all the way to the north, which was very interesting and beautiful. Definitely an event worth striving for. We will gladly come again!

The weather often deviates from the report and then you have to freestyle." Melwin Fink

What lessons will you take away from the Atlantic Cup for the future?

We learnt a lot. We had never sailed in the Gulf Stream before, it was completely new - and a big challenge to find the best route there. Then the weather forecast here is not particularly good. It often deviates from the forecast and you have to freestyle. There are lots of squalls and thunderstorms. That was very exciting and very challenging. We learnt a lot from it. Less positive, of course, were all the collisions, including a few with flotsam, and the associated breakage. We now have to get out of the water for the weekend and repair our keel.

Alberto Riva and Jean Marre won the Atlantic Cup on the Italian Guelfi design "Acrobatica" from 2023 ahead of the "Vogue avec un Crohn" designed by Sam Manuard. Well deserved?

Absolutely! They sailed a very consistent race, made virtually no mistakes and very deservedly won. The two of them sailed very strongly.

On 30 June you will start the Transat Québec Saint-Malo. 29 Class40 crews, including very strong teams such as Transat CIC winner Ambroggio Beccaria and his crew, want to be there. Are you ready?

We are very well prepared for the next race. Apart from the keel, the boat is in top condition. Just a few small things need to be replaced and then we're ready to go. We are very motivated, as is our crew. We are very much looking forward to sailing across the Atlantic again.

Click here for the results of the Atlantic Cup.

Insights into the Atlantic Cup before the final: