The images were dramatic. Allagrande Mapei Racing's deck scaling, known as an outrigger, drilled into the hull of Holcim PRB and tore out a large piece of the hull. Fortunately, nobody was injured, but it is hard to imagine what would have happened if someone had been below deck in this area.
Repair at Knierim
The green-blue Imoca was taken to Knierim Yachtbau, where repairs are now in full swing. After a first report from Allagrande Mapei Racing Holcim PRB has now also provided initial information on the damage. The images of the repair are almost identical to those from 11th Hour at the last race.
Classic repair
The boat is lying in the water, the keel is most likely canted to starboard so that the damaged area on the port side protrudes as high as possible out of the water. It can be seen that the damaged area was initially cut cleanly free all round. It is evidently just a piece of hull, i.e. the bare shell. Stiffening structures are apparently not affected. The hull consists of a sandwich construction with a honeycomb core and quite thin carbon fibre layers on the inside and outside.
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The carbon fibre laminate was then scarfed around the actual hole to ensure a good hold and force transfer of the subsequent laminate.
The next steps are usually to fit a new core and then apply new laminate from the inside and outside. Depending on the epoxy resin used, the drying time varies and also depends on whether the repair area can be heated, which normally speeds up the process. However, this appears to be difficult due to the repair being carried out in water.
Statement from the team
Team Holcim PRB writes about the repairs: "The team is working in close co-operation with the experts at Knierim Yachtbau Werft. We are sincerely grateful for their skills and support, as well as for the tireless work of our own technicians. Our top priority is to ensure that every step is carried out safely."
There is no information yet as to when the repairs will be completed and the boat can set course for Portsmouth.
Video of a repair
In our DIY video and the article such a repair is explained step by step.
