Helga Cup 2026 – Sailing with Team Spirit on the Außenalster
At the Helga Cup 2026 on Hamburg’s Außenalster, Kühne Logistics University (KLU) took part once again after last year’s debut. This time in a special constellation: together with the sailing team from Bucerius Law School (BLS). In the end, the team finished in 44th place out of a total of 64 teams.
The Helga Cup stands not only for sporting competition, but above all for the visibility and networking of women in sailing and beyond – including in a business context. This very idea was reflected in this year’s team composition.
As the world’s largest all-women regatta, the Helga Cup has for years brought together female sailors from different backgrounds – from ambitious up-and-coming crews to experienced regatta teams. In addition to the races, the focus is particularly on exchange, mutual support, and the promotion of women in a competitive environment.
During a joint training session ahead of the regatta, sailors Faye Kochmann and Elina Seitz from KLU, together with Pia Droege and Lilly Woelke from BLS, laid the foundation for their collaboration. On the water, it quickly became clear that the crew complemented each other well.
Skipper Faye Kochmann summarized her impressions as follows: “The collaboration with Bucerius Law School helped us progress quickly as a team. You could tell that everyone was highly committed – that made it a thoroughly positive experience.”
Pia Droege from the Bucerius Law School team also emphasized the spirit of cooperation: “It was exciting to compete in this constellation. We were able to learn from each other and quickly came together as a team – that’s exactly what makes the Helga Cup so special.”
In addition to fun and networking on land, the sporting competition remained a key focus. In the J/70 ranking, the top three teams prevailed after a series of close races – demonstrating that alongside team spirit, consistent performance and tactical sailing are essential.
- Gold: Team Stiftung Mammazentrum
- Silver: VSaW Ladies
- Bronze: Kieler Yacht Club
For the KLU team, one key takeaway remains: collaborations like this not only work on the water, but also foster exchange and networking among young women – a central idea that extends far beyond the regatta.
