That Swedish businessman Hakan Svensson has chosen Fremantle for the next phase of his global sailing ambitions is not that surprising.
That Swedish businessman Hakan Svensson has chosen Fremantle for the next phase of his global sailing ambitions is not that surprising.
That Swedish businessman Hakan Svensson has chosen Fremantle for the next phase of his global sailing ambitions is not entirely surprising.
Not only is the port city home to a big sailing fraternity and blessed with the regular stiff breeze we call the Fremantle Doctor, it remains awash with the Western Australian entrepreneurial spirt through the memories of the 1987 America’s Cup.
Mr Svensson has big plans to turn the M32 catamaran sailing boats into a global phenomenon via a world series racing program he believes fills a major gap for both competitors and spectators.
He has set up his Australasian headquarters in Fremantle from where he plans to sell his $US250,000 boats to teams, aiming for the younger adult sailors who struggle to find a match between the amateur competitions in Olympic classes and the big budget, high-seas racing that dominates the media.
For the spectators, Fremantle’s Bathers Beach offers the kind of close up view or arena experience whereby the racing, with high-speed action and fast-paced spills, can be watched from the shoreline.
The match racing at the beach has been on all week and continues through till Monday.
Mr Svensson, a former propeller manufacturer, is quite at home in Fremantle.
He has visited numerous times in the past before selling his Berg Propulsion business to Caterpillar in 2013. He even lived in the port city for three months when he was younger.
He sees the sport as an investment in something he is passionate about, but with a clear business objective to create a visually appealing and globally competitive sporting contest that appeals to contestants, the audience and, ultimately, sponsors.