Another new appointment

Former bank manager and Soling Olympian brought on to project manage Victory Challenge

He has been a bank director, worked with international finance and most recently been the treasurer for SKF. He has also sailed in the Olympics and has a World Championship Gold Medal. Today, Martin Grävare, 46, takes up a new position as project manager for Victory Challenge.

The recruitment of Martin Grävare is a step in the planned strengthening of the management side in the continuation of the Swedish challenge for the 32nd America's Cup. Up till now Victory Challenge has been developed by those responsible for the key areas, such as boat design, boat building, sponsorship, economy and the sport itself.

With a project manager in place effectiveness will be further improved. "Victory Challenge is made up of many strong personalities who lead their respective areas extremely well; my role is to coordinate them and thereby enable us to be even better at focusing on our common goal," says Martin Grävare.

From 1984 to 1994 Martin Grävare worked for SEB and Gota Bank. Between 1994 and 2000 he was involved in the international finance market in Luxembourg and London. Since 2001 he has worked for SKF, most recently as treasurer.

Martin Grävare is also a highly merited sailor, a world elite laser sailor in the early 80s, then concentrated on the Soling and was a member of the Swedish Olympic Team in Los Angeles in 1984. He has competed in more than ten European and World Championships. During 2002/3 he sailed 49ers and in 2004 became J/80 class World Champion.

Martin Grävare is also a member of Mensa.

With Martin Grävare in place as project manager Victory Challenge has established a complete management team.

The Management Team is:

Sports manager: Magnus Holmberg
Designer: German Frers Jr
Shore manager: Sam Murch
Commercial manager: Dariush Ghatan
Financial manager: Johan Stenman
Legal advisor: Björn Ohde
Press officer: Bert Willborg

The initiator of Victory Challenge is Hugo Stenbeck.