This is the second consecutive America’s Cup campaign by the Victory Challenge and Sweden’s fifth attempt to claim the Auld Mug. The 2002 Victory Challenge was a strong effort, marked by resolute determination in the face of adversity. The team founder and syndicate head Jan Stenbeck passed away just days before the first race of the Louis Vuitton Cup. But the team sailed strongly through the Quarter-Finals before being eliminated in the Repechage.

This new Victory Challenge carries the benefits from that 2002 campaign, with two solid America’s Cup Class boats to serve as a design and testing platform, along with all the knowledge and experience gained by returning team members.

Magnus Holmberg has been appointed to recruit and lead the sailing team, and in 2005 at least, he will be at the wheel. He has been competing this spring on the international match racing circuit to sharpen his skills. The team expects approximately two-thirds of the previous squad to return.

Victory Challenge will likely be starting slowly in Valencia this year. SWE 63 will be converted to Version 5 and shipped to Spain, arriving at the end of May. The team will have just over one week of sailing in Valencia as their only preparation ahead of racing. Look for Victory Challenge to be a team which improves measurably over the season in 2005 as the sailors get back up to speed.

Designer German Frers Jr. is a strong addition and there is every chance that Victory Challenge will benefit from a boat that is at least the equal of the strongest teams. The team intends to build two new boats before 2007.

Website: www.victorychallenge.com/