GC32 Challenges

BSST_GC32_WC_22_PRICEGIVING_5

While we had our hands full with RC44, the GC32 carousel continued to spin. But unfortunately not as usual.

So we also pushed ahead with the planning of the 2023 season on the GC32 catamaran. Our declared goal: the defence of the world championship title. Unfortunately, some teams have withdrawn from the GC32 Racing Tour due to scheduling conflicts with other regatta classes, the preparation for the America’s Cup and other major events such as the 2024 Olympic Games. As a result, only two events of the planned tour with five regattas will take place. For simplicity’s sake, it was also decided that both events would be held in Lagos. The reduced number of participating teams also has an impact on the GC32 World Championship 2023. In order to hold a valid World Championship, a minimum number of teams from different continents must be at the start. This is not fulfilled by the registered six teams.

The positive thing for the Black Star Sailing Team is that we will remain reigning world champions for another season. However, we would have preferred to defend the title by sailing successfully.

Total loss prevented

While Black Star as a team can only have a limited influence on the developments in the GC32 Racing Tour, we were all the better able to take action with our hardware. During the inspection of the individual parts of our catamaran such as the mast, beams, spine etc. by means of ultrasonic scanning, we found cracks in the structure of the rear beam. Smaller cracks in the spinaker pole, in the boom and mast were already indicated in the ultrasound two years ago. However, these did not increase in size and are therefore not structurally serious. It was different with the newly discovered cracks. These had to be repaired in order not to endanger the structure of the whole boat. Our boat builders had to remove thirteen layers of carbon by grinding to completely eradicate the damage. With the guidance of the builders, we were then able to re-laminate with Prepreg Carbon Fiber and return our catamaran to a race-ready condition.

In the coming days we will prepare the container and put everything away again so that the transport for the planned training in May can take place on schedule.

Structurally highly stressed areas of the catamaran are made of so many layers of carbon weave that they can withstand the loads caused by tensile or compressive forces. Nevertheless, weakening of the material can occur. The fibre cracks discovered by ultrasonic testing already went through thirteen layers of carbon. Accordingly, we had to act quickly.
Structurally highly stressed areas of the catamaran are made of so many layers of carbon weave that they can withstand the loads caused by tensile or compressive forces. Nevertheless, weakening of the material can occur. The fibre cracks discovered by ultrasonic testing already went through thirteen layers of carbon. Accordingly, we had to act quickly.
Fortunately, such damage can be repaired if it occurs only locally. The exposed layers are repaired with Prepreg Carbon fabric.
Fortunately, such damage can be repaired if it occurs only locally. The exposed layers are repaired with Prepreg Carbon fabric.
A special temporary box construction provides conditions in which the Prepreg Carbon fabric and the repair resin can cure completely and bond optimally with the existing structure.
A special temporary box construction provides conditions in which the Prepreg Carbon fabric and the repair resin can cure completely and bond optimally with the existing structure.
The finished repair disappears under the paint and the boat can soon be reassembled and the beam tested under load.
The finished repair disappears under the paint and the boat can soon be reassembled and the beam tested under load.