Black Star Sailing Team

Switzerland’s Black Star Sailing Team is becoming one of the most experienced teams on the GC32 Racing Tour despite having only joined the flying catamaran circuit at the beginning of 2019. This campaign is masterminded by former A-Class catamaran sailor Christian Zuerrer with the assistance of former Armin Strom Sailing Team skipper and renowned Olympic Star sailor Flavio Marazzi.

In 2019 Zuerrer returned to sailing after a hiatus for a few years. “I was looking around at what were good opportunities for a multihull sailor and the only boat I found that was suitable was the GC32,” he says.

On board Zuerrer prefers to operate the mainsheet rather than helm, hence why Black Star Sailing Team doesn’t appear in the Owner-Driver rankings for the season. For 2022, steering will again be talented New Zealand match racer Chris Steele. Steele joined the team in Oman for the final event of the 2019 where they often were making it on to the podium in races.

The Swiss team clearly made a significant step-up for the 2021 season with Marazzi moving into the coaching role and the new addition on board of Pierluigi de Felice, fresh from racing the 36th America’s Cup with Luna Rossa. With this line-up Black Star Sailing Team finished third on the podium in 2021 and expectations are high they will do better still for the 2022 season.

Crew for 2022

Christian Zuerrer (SUI) – mainsheet

Chris Steele (NZL) – helm

Pier Luigi de Felice (ITA)

Stewart Dobson (NZL)

Will Alloway (GBR)

For more information see the Black Star Sailing Team website