Atlantic Cup: Burke and Fink start stage two in a strong third place after thunderstorms
Tatjana Pokorny
· 30.05.2024
Lennart Burke and Melwin Fink had ambitiously set their sights on a place in the top third for their debut in the US East Coast Atlantic Cup race. In a small, albeit fine field of eight boats, this meant nothing less than a podium finish. Shortly after the first starting signal, however, it did not look as if the young German "Sign for Com" co-skippers would be able to realise their ambitious plan. They were miserably caught up in the opening lull - something they wanted to avoid at all costs - and trailed behind the field for a long time. However, as the stage progressed, they became increasingly determined and were able to play to their own strengths and the strengths of their Pogo 40 S4 in the stormy conditions, catapulting them into third place.
Difficult light wind start for Burke and Fink
Melwin Fink reports from Newport: "The Atlantic Cup is a challenging regatta. This first leg showed that: We had a very difficult start and had to get out of Charleston Bay in light winds. It was particularly difficult for us because we passed a buoy three times, which we still had to round. A few boats got away from us and we had to pick them up again."
The interesting thing was the Gulf Stream and the many thunderstorms." Melwin Fink
Instead of being right at the front, the youngest crew in the Atlantic Cup field had their backs to the wall. But Melwin Fink also says: "Once we were out there, things got off to a good start with downwind VMG for the whole trip. We raised the spinnaker on the first day and only lowered it again on the last day. The whole first leg was super exciting. The most interesting thing was actually the Gulf Stream and the many thunderstorms. After the first twelve hours we were in the Gulf Stream and had around three knots of thrust from behind. And that for the whole leg!"
You can't be afraid of thunderstorms, you have to drive towards them sometimes." Lennart Burke
The unusual intensity and frequency of the thunderstorms was a new experience for 25-year-old Lennart Burke and his 22-year-old co-skipper Melwin Fink in the Atlantic Cup. Lennart Burke said: "We've never had to deal with thunderstorms in regattas before. Playing them tactically is very exciting. You can also get stuck. You have to sail out the turns, you can't be afraid of the thunderstorms, you have to sail towards them sometimes." Burke's motto: "Don't drive into them, but don't be too impressed either, although it is very impressive to see the lightning strike the water."
Atlantic Cup: Thunderstorms as a regatta component
Melwin Fink explains: "After a while, it was really fun to work with the thunderstorms. In other words, watching them. You have to keep an eye on their direction and simply be very attentive throughout the race." The first stage presented a wide range of challenges, as Lennart Burke explains: "There were many factors involved: Squalls, the thunderstorms, the Gulf Stream. Plus some light wind zones that we had to avoid. You simply have to be very, very attentive the whole time."
This not only led to a lack of sleep on the German Class40. "Melwin Fink knows: "We didn't get our two hours of sleep in the last 24 hours. We constantly had to wake each other up because there was something to watch. And someone always had to steer. At one point we even had 35 knots of wind on the downwind course." Lennart Fink summarised the opening leg of the Atlantic Cup by saying that he had never experienced conditions as varied as those on this first leg of the Atlantic Cup.
"The fact that we then came third with our still limited experience compared to the competition - you have to be honest about that - is of course brilliant!" Melwin Fink nods and agrees: "Yes, the stage finale was awesome! We caught up with the boat in third place around 24 hours before the finish. We were able to hold on to that place despite the strong competition. There are only eight boats, but their crews are all really good."
"Acrobatica" starts stage 2 as the top boat
The "Sign for Com" has survived the first leg almost unscathed. Melwin Fink says: "We have a few cosmetic repairs to do and are really looking forward to exploring Newport. The starting signal for the second leg of the Atlantic Cup will be given on 1 June off Newport. The race will cover 250 nautical miles to Portland, where two longer one-day races will form the third and final leg. The Italian "Acrobatica" with Alberto Riva and Jean Marre will start the second stage as the leading boat. The duo had won leg one in 67 hours, 46 minutes and 16 seconds.
It was an adventure!" Alberto Riva
Just over ten minutes later, "Everial" crossed the finish line with Erwan Le Draoulec and co-skipper Tanguy Leglatin, whom so many soloists and duos also value as a coach and Class 40 instructor. Winner Alberto Riva said: "It was the first time I had experienced these waters with this race. It was an adventure! It was the first time I was so close to a competitor (ed.: "Everial") for such a large part of a race. It was a great discovery for me that we were able to keep them and these conditions at bay and master them. I learnt a lot about 'Acrobatica'."
Second-placed Erwan Le Draoulec was also delighted with the American Class 40 challenge, saying: "The leg was really good and very complete with its many different conditions. The start was very light winded but with the downwind we got a good speed and had to get through the storms from there. The race wasn't perfect, but it was almost perfect. This boat is made for downwind sailing, so in the end it worked pretty perfectly there."
