Construction of new Victory Challenge boat begun today

Victory Challenge has today begun construction of its boat for the 32nd America’s Cup.

“This is a big day for us, the entire boatbuilding team has been raring to go,” says Killian Bushe, boatbuilding manager.

He was also boatbuilding manager for the two Dutch ABN AMRO boats that will arrive in Göteborg later this week for the finish of the Volvo Ocean Race. A boat built by Killian Bushe will win the round the world regatta for the second time in a row.

Victory Challenge’s shipyard is close to where the ABN AMRO boats are headed. Even before the final leg is over it is obvious that ABN AMRO ONE is the overall winner.

“For me it feels like mission accomplished. It’s the second time in a row.” Killian Bushe was also boatbuilding manager for the Illbruck boat that won the Volvo Ocean Race 2001-2002.

Killian Bushe, boatbuilding manager, and Andrew Lowe, construction foreman, at front when boat building begun today. Photo copyright: Peter Claesson/Victory Challenge

For the last few months he has been employed by Victory Challenge. It is Killian Bushe that has managed the work on building the new bows, both for Örn (SWE 63) and Orm (SWE 73). They have been part of the modifications of the boats that were built for Auckland 2002/2003 – ahead of the year’s pre-regattas for the 32nd America’s Cup.

But Killian Bushe and his team in Göteborg have also prepared the construction that began today. This includes the completion of a 40-metre long oven which is an important part of the process when building a carbon fibre composite boat.

“You need a constant temperature and a high air flow,” says Killian Bushe. Building an America’s Cup boat requires 25,000 man hours. At present the boatbuilding team comprises 10 persons. It will grow to 25 persons. “The new boat will be ready for shipping to Valencia before the end of the year,” says Killian Bushe.

Parallel with the preparation of the shipyard, the design team, led by Mani Frers, has carried out its work. Mani Frers was also Victory Challenge’s boat designer for SWE 63 (Örn) and SWE 73 (Orm) ahead of the America’s Cup in Auckland 2002/2003. “With Killian Bush as boatbuilding manager and Mani Frers as boat designer we have a fantastic team on the boat side. I’m very glad about that combination,” says Magnus Holmberg, skipper and helmsman.

Even if the nationality rules have been relaxed for the 32nd America’s Cup there is one important nationality requirement remaining. Those boats that take part in the challengers’ series, the Louis Vuitton Cup, and in the America’s Cup final, must be built in the country the challengers come from. The Swedish Gamla Stans Yacht Sällskap is responsible for Victory Challenge’s challenge.

At the same time as the boat building begins, Magnus Holmberg and his crew are continuing their preparations ahead of the Valencia Louis Vuitton Act 12, the final match racing act before the Louis Vuitton Cup 2007. Valencia Louis Vuitton Act 12 is the year’s last pre-regatta and will be held 22 June to 3 July. Victory Challenge will compete in SWE 63, which has been further modified since the pre-regattas in May.