Principal backer and inspiration Jan Stenbeck died of a heart attack in August and will be sorely missed by the accomplished crew he assembled.

The syndicate he leaves behind has a distinctly Scandinavian flavour, fielding many top sailors from Sweden, Denmark, Norway and Finland.

Their first new boat SWE 63 - christened Orn - proved quick in the America's Cup International Regatta in February.

And as back-up designer German Frers has since developed SWE 73, named Orm.

But the competition will be stiffer in October and Victory Challenge will cause a major surprise if it lives up to its name.

That said, in alternate skippers Jesper Bank, from Denmark, and Swede Magnus Holmberg, the Swedish boat has two of the best match racers in the world.

Bank is a double Olympic gold medallist in the Soling class, while Holmberg is the world's top-ranked match racer.

Verdict: Stenbeck's pride and joy falls short of victory.