Rutgerson Marin supplier to Victory Challenge

by Bert Willborg on 22 Nov 2006 Victory Challenge announced today that a contract has been signed with Rutgerson Marin for the production and technical support of fittings for sails, masts and boats for the teams America’s Cup challenge.

'All fittings are specially designed and exposed to extreme stress. Rutgerson Marin has all the competence required for producing them and to give us technical support', says Sam Murch, Victory Challenge’s shore manager.

The assignment as the official supplier applies for both the new boat SWE 96, just newly completed at Victory Challenge’s boatyard in Lindholmen Science Park in Gothenburg, and for the continuing developmental work with SWE 63 and SWE 73 (Orm). Victory Challenge has participated in all pre-regattas within the frame for the 32nd America’s Cup during 2005 and 2006, with SWE 63 and SWE 73. Both boats were built for Auckland but have been modified according to those new class rules which apply for America’s Cup in Valencia. The modification continues as a part of the developmental work for SWE 96. The Manager for the boat building of SWE 96 is Killian Bushe, who built the winner boats for the two latest Volvo Ocean Races.
Behind the boat design are Mani Frers, his father German Frers and their design team in Milan.

Behind the sail design is Laurent Delage.

The solutions which these designers create cannot be bought, they must be specially made.

'Rutgerson Marin is very happy and proud of the collaboration with Victory Challenge and well aware of the extreme demands placed on the equipment at this level. The starting point is not about developing and designing parts which are as good as those used by syndicates, but finding solutions that will give Victory Challenge that little extra needed to succeed the whole way in Valencia', says Fredrik Persson, vice-president at Rutgerson Marin.

'We have, through collaboration with Victory Challenge, the very best prerequisites for, through intensive developmental work at the very highest level within sailing, together producing world-leading products which in the future have the possibility of being adapted for the 'normal' sailor.'

Rutgerson Marin is especially suitable for this task. Rutgerson Marin AB was founded in the beginning of the 70´s. The founder, Göran Rugerson grew up in Marstrand, north of Gothenburg and has long experience in sailing. Based on his experience, he has created many new innovative products and solutions for the boating industry.

Göran Rutgerson is a well-qualified sailor and also participated with Pelle Pettersson in Sweden’s first America’s Cup challenge, with the boat 'Sverige' in 1977.

The next competition within the frame for the 32nd America’s Cup begins in less than five months, with the last pre-regatta, the Valencia Louis Vuitton Act 13. The challenge series Louis Vuitton Cup begins on April 16, 2007.

Victory Challenge’s challenge for the 32nd America’s Cup will take place in partnership with Tele2, Red Bull and MTG. Metro, Viasat and Bet24 are media partners. Sail Racing, LIROS Yacht Ropes, Sebago and OM Pimespo Ibercarretillas are official suppliers. The team suppliers are Sebago, Fitness First in Valencia and the Nordic Sea Hotel in Stockholm.