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| MAGNUS HOLMBERG RECHARGES IN MARSTRAND |
| Wednesday, 27 June 2007 |
Magnus Holmberg, skipper of Victory Challenge.
Valencia Louis Vuitton Cup
© Oskar Kihlborg/Victory Challenge
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Will he win this year? Magnus Holmberg has sailed at Match Cup Sweden in Marstrand every year since 1994, he has always finished near the top, but a victory still eludes him.
- ‘This year we need to fire up a bit more, it’s time for a win now, last time I was second’ said the Victory Challenge skipper, one of the world’s best Match race sailors, prior to Match Cup Sweden in Marstrand, July 2-8.
Marstrand is his home turf and Match Cup Sweden is somewhat of his own race, having taken the initiative in 1993 to start the race the following year.
‘I have a strong personal relation here and think it’s incredibly nice to see the race on again after a year on hold. It’s always exciting and the atmosphere is great’ says Magnus.
For the last few years Magnus has sailed as the skipper and helmsman for Victory Challenge in the America’s Cup. Victory Challenge just missed the semi finals of the Louis Vuitton Cup. He is still in Valencia as an expert commentator for the America’s Cup’s TV channel, and will come to Marstrand in due time for the first practice on Monday afternoon.
‘We made an extremely tough effort in Louis Vuitton Cup, so now it’s all about recharging extra much in order to hunt for the victory in Match Cup Sweden. I haven’t sailed a small boat for more than a year so I will probably need some time to tune in’ says Magnus who for the last ten years has only sailed once a year in Sweden, at Match Cup Sweden, Marstrand.
The racing concept is basically the same as in the America’s Cup, but the boats are completely different. DS 37, which is used in Match Cup Sweden, is an eleven meter long one design boat and identical for all crews.
‘It turns, sails and acts like a dinghy compared to Järv’ says Magnus Holmberg referring to
the Victory Challenge race boat, which is 24 meters long and completely hi-tech and constantly developed.
‘If we can start the race on the right level from the beginning, I think we can go far.’
Looking at his crew, they have been sail racing buddies for many years, so he seems to be well prepared for a good result; Stefan Rahm, tactician on Victory Challenge, Anders Dahlsjö, Oscar Ljung and Daniel Björndal.
The competition is tough, Magnus knows. America’s Cup sailors like Gavin Brady, Matthias Rahm – second helmsman and strategist on Victory Challenge – and Jesper Radich are three, Sebastien Col and Ian Williams from the World Match Racing Tour are two others that Magnus respects.
The young Australian talent, Torvar Mirsky, 21, is replacing Peter Gilmour who has been called upon by Alinghi as a consultant. That’s news to Magnus.
‘I’ve never heard of him, but everyone is as hungry to win. It will be tough, but all we can do is to get out on the course and sail and try to get used to the boat, it’s the same for all.’ Tactics? Yeah, when it’s time for it, says Magnus with a laugh.
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