En route to Spain

SWE96 leaves Gothenberg

Victory Challenge's new America's Cup class yacht, SWE 96 is on the way to Valencia for the 32nd America’s Cup. According to plan the new boat left the shipyard in Göteborg at 10:45 this morning to be transported to Spain by lorry. "For SWE 96 it is the most effective method of transport, both as regards time and cost," says Sam Murch, shore manager.

When SWE 63 (built for Auckland in 2002-2003 and used in most of the pre-regattas of the 32nd America’s Cup), was transported to Valencia at the start of Victory Challenge’s efforts for the latest Cup it was done so by boat. "Road transport is faster," says Sam Murch.  

The next destination for SWE 96 is Trelleborg, from where it will travel by ferry to Travemünde in Germany on then onwards to Valencia.

Once at Victory Challenge’s base in the host city of the 32nd America’s Cup, SWE 96 will be fitted out with winches, hydraulics and electronics. The hull will be decorated with the logo of sponsor Red Bull and the keel and rig fitted. Only then will she be ready to put in the water.

Transport is taking place, as planned, six days after Victory Challenge held an open evening at the shipyard in Göteborg for their partners, along with the boatbuilders and their families, and the Swedish sailors that have celebrated Christmas and New Year at home. The members of GKKS, Göteborgs Kungliga Segel Sällskap (the Royal Gothenburg Yacht Club), were also invited.

"A big day for our challenge,” said Magnus Holmberg, skipper and helmsman, on that evening. He, and the other members of the sailing team, have been in Dubai since Wednesday evening, for winter training using the boats that were built for Auckland. Sailing opportunities are limited in January in Valencia. By relocating to Dubai, where the wind conditions right now are identical to those in Valencia later in the spring, Victory Challenge are counting on a much higher amount of high quality sailing training.

SWE 96 has, like SWE 63 and SWE 73, been designed by Mani Frers (now with his father, German Frers).

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.