By TERRY MADDAFORD
The Swedes will happily take their extra day off when the remaining eight challengers put to sea this morning.
When the Louis Vuitton challengers series starts in the Hauraki Gulf this afternoon, the Swedish boats Orn (Swe63) and Orm (Swe73) will remain at the Victory Challenge base.
When the
draw for the first day was made yesterday, the Swedes were handed the bye.
"As far as our preparation has gone, it is good to have an extra day up our sleeve," Victory skipper Mats Johansson said. "We have been at it seven days a week for two-and-a-half years, so having another day will just allow us to become even more focused.
"We will go out and watch some races to have a look at the pre-starts and tactics.
"Generally, we will just take it easy.
"We were ready to race on the first day but, like everyone I suppose, you are always fighting with the time. It is good to have those extra 24 hours."
The Swedes have what appears a reasonable start to the first round with matches against the French, Stars and Stripes and Italy's Mascalzone Latino before meeting Oracle (US) and Prada (Italy).
Like all syndicates, the Swedes are itching to go racing.
"We have been away from home for a year and before that we were in France," Johansson said. "We really want to get started, but before that we will take the bonus day off we have been given."
The Swedes first challenged for the America's Cup in 1977. Then followed further unsuccessful bids in 1980 and 1992.
None of the crew have dipped their toes into America's Cup waters before, but driven by the memory of team boss, the late Jan Stenbeck, they are ready to race, whether aboard Orn (Eagle) or Orm (Serpent).
They are the only challenger to share one thing in common with cup holders Team New Zealand.
Both have put their faith in black boats.
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