Globe40: Farewell, Hamburg welcome party and new beginning
Lorient's La Base harbour hosted the final Globe40 event this weekend. The circumnavigators, the organisers and their teams came together one last time to review their adventures and achievements. In the auditorium of the Cité de la Voile, stage films were shown and memories of the highs and lows of the intensive race around the world were shared. This was followed by the award ceremony and the farewell party with more than 200 guests.
The final Globe40 chapter from Lorient
With the arrival of the British team Jangada Racing, the double-handed circumnavigation on Class40ies, which started on 4 September 2025, came to a sporting end on 21 April 2026 after 229 days in the start and finish port of Lorient. Sailors, teams, organisers and partners celebrated the finale of the second Globe40 edition in style.
The organisers were happy to take stock: "This is of course a great pleasure for all participants and for the organisers. The quality of the teams, the quality of the technical preparation and support during the legs, the unwavering commitment of the organising team at all times and, to remain modest, undoubtedly a good dose of luck or a lucky star made this result possible." The minor setbacks and low blows that sailors and organisers alike had to endure on the course around the world were forgotten.
What remains of the Class 40 race around the world? From a German perspective, two young sailors who had to cross more than just the proverbial borders. Lennart Burke and Melwin Fink started their first round-the-world race last minute, hungry and very promising. They were in second place and were among the podium contenders, when Bruch abruptly ended her high-flying journey on stage three from La Réunion to Sydney on 1 Advent 2025.
Globe40: cheered, broken, got up again
They rebelled against this, struggled to get back into the race, repaired the rig, chased in transfer mode from La Réunion via Cape Town to the Brazilian stage harbour of Recife. From there, after missing three legs, they contested the final Atlantic leg back to Lorient. Lennart Burke and Melwin Fink in the Globe40 had to show immense qualities of endurance and perseverance with a mini-budget and maxi ambitions. In the current YACHT podcast the youngest crew in the fleet once again reported in detail on the greatest adventure of their sailing career to date.
It wasn't always easy. We had a lot of ups and downs. We asked ourselves more than once or twice what we were even doing here. And swore you'd never do it again!" Lennart Burke
"The whole eight months were extremely tough. You have to let that sink in a bit now. But the tingling sensation is there," said Melwin Fink, summarising his thoughts after the final. His team sailed "very well", but of course had "a little damage on the way". Fink summarised the consequences of this: "We're still missing the entire circumnavigation, so to speak. That's why the tingling sensation is extreme."
Burke and Fink have their sights set on 3rd Globe40
In other words, the two ocean strikers, who jointly run the shipyards Next Generation Boating and Next Generation Yachting in Hamburg and Kiel, ideally want to do it again for the third Globe40 edition. Which is why they are already focussing on setting up another campaign. If this works out at the desired level, the duo would ideally like to build the Class40 themselves. "The motivation is huge," says Melwin Fink with a view to the next Globe40 edition, which is due to start in autumn 2028 and end in spring 2029.
Before that, however, there is still the home final. The welcome party for Lennart Burke and Melwin Fink will take place in Hamburg on 2 May. The plan for this can also be found here. "Lots of friends and acquaintances want to meet us on the Elbe in boats. Then we'll sail into HafenCity. A big party with a DJ awaits us there. That's where we can conclude our circumnavigation," reports Melwin Fink, looking forward to the last emotional exclamation mark in his home harbour.
"Everything has become much bigger than it actually is and than we could have imagined. Of course, we want to give everyone the chance to celebrate with us, to be with us and to capture this moment," said Lennart Burke. The bridge at Sandtorhafen will open for the Next Generation Boating Around the World team on 2 May at 1.15 pm. "That's when we enter the harbour. The official welcome will then take place at 1.45 pm," said Burke, explaining the planned schedule for the public event with free access for all fans.
With "legendary" memories of the Hamburg welcome party
When asked about her most intense memories, the final of the second stage came up more than once. "What keeps coming back to my mind is the finish of La Réunion. Where we still second after a 600 nautical mile gap and really made waves. I don't think we've ever had so many people on the tracker before. Even the organiser was completely flabbergasted. The finish on La Réunion was legendary."
Click here for the final ranking of the 2nd Globe40. Lennart Burke and Melwin Fink finish the race in eighth place after further jury decisions regarding the handling of the missed stages. "But for us, it's our story, not the ranking, that's the most important thing," said Lennart Burke at the weekend. They want to look back on their very personal story on 2 May at the welcome party in Hamburg with family, friends and fans.
The welcome party on 2 May will take place on the Elbe and in the harbour:
- 10.30 am: Start in Wedel (support boats welcome)
- approx. 12.30 pm: Arrival at the Elbphilharmonie
- 1.15 pm: Bridge opening
- 1.30 pm: Arrival and mooring in Sandtor harbour
- from 1.45 pm: Official welcome with representatives of the Hanseatic City of Hamburg, guests from sport and business, partners and sponsors as well as family, friends and fans
- until approx. 4.30 pm: "Sound and atmosphere at the harbour (DJ set, get-together)
- 5.00 pm: Film premiere "All in good time" (60-minute documentary, Zeise cinema, Hamburg; Tickets can be purchased here for 12 euros; followed by a live talk with Lennart Burke and Melwin Fink)
