Up and running in Dubai

Victory Challenge get training

Today training for Sweden's Victory Challenge began immediately with two boat trailing for Örn (SWE 63) and Orm (SWE 73) in front of the skyline of Jumeriah Beach, with the spectacular Burj Al Arab, which dominates the coastline, in the background.

"The sea breeze was perfect, just what we were hoping for," said Magnus Holmberg, skipper and helmsman. Holmberg had arrived in Dubai late last night, straight from Göteborg where the evening before Victory Challenge had held an open evening for its partners, the boatbuilders, the Swedish sailors that had celebrated Christmas and New Year at home, and for the members of GKSS, the Royal Gothenburg Yacht Club, because the team’s new boat, SWE 96, is now ready for transport to Valencia.
 
In order to make the most use of the time until SWE 96 puts to sea, there are now 70 people from the team in the United Arab Emirates. The wind conditions in the Persian Gulf are identical to those which the America’s Cup teams can expect in Valencia when it is time for the challengers’ series, the Louis Vuitton Cup, to start on 16 April.
 
The historic weather data is unequivocal; in January there are few days when it is possible to carry out high-quality sailing training in Spanish waters. That is why the America’s Cup defender, Alinghi, has also situated its winter training in Dubai.
 
“It is just fantastic to be here and I am grateful that all of the complicated logistical operation with relocalising us has gone so smoothly,” says Magnus Holmberg.
 
More than 100 tons of equipment, including the two boats, their sails, containers and a tender boat were flown from Valencia before Christmas, in two gigantic Russian Antonov planes.
 
Magnus Holmberg today took the helm of SWE 63, which was the first to leave Victory Challenge’s temporary base at Jumeirah Beach. SWE 73 followed, with Mattias Rahm at the helm.
 
They met for two-boat training off Palm Jumeirah, one of three of the world’s biggest artificial islands (the other two are also in Dubai), where construction of the first phase of villas, apartments and hotels is now being finished. On another artificial island close by is Burj Al Arab, the world’s most exclusive hotel which is shaped like a sail.
 
"I am unbelievably pleased that we have this opportunity to hold winter training in Dubai, it gives us the chance of so many extra high-quality sailing days, which I am sure will be very valuable to us when the Louis Vuitton Cup starts," said Holmberg. That was what we saw today in the 10-13 knot winds.

There are only three and a half months remaining until then. Over the next few weeks, while SWE 96 is transported to Valencia and made ready to sail at Victory Challenge’s base there, there will concentrated two-boat training in Dubai with SWE 63 and SWE 73.
 
Victory Challenge’s main partners for the 32nd America’s Cup are Tele2, Red Bull and MTG. Metro, Viasat and Bet24 are media partners. Sail Racing, LIROS Yacht Ropes, Rutgerson Marin, Pergo and OM Pimespo Ibercarretillas are official suppliers. Team suppliers are Sebago, Oakley, Fitness First in Valencia and Nordic Sea Hotel in Stockholm.