The "Mange" Olsson Prize has been awarded annually since 2016 to an individual who has made an indelible contribution to the world of sailing. Pelle Petterson is the first Swede to be honoured and joins an impressive list of previous recipients, including some of the biggest names in sailing: Torben Grael, Sir Ben Ainslie, Stan Honey, Santiago Lange, Grant Dalton, Carolijn Brouwer, Peter Burling and Martine Grael.
The prize is named after one of the best sailors in the world, the Swede Magnus "Mange" Olsson. Magnus died after suffering a stroke in April 2013, and shortly after his death a memorial fund was established in his name with the aim of supporting Swedish youth sailing and boating activities by awarding grants to individuals or organisations. The fund also presents the annual Mange Olsson Award, which honours an individual or organisation that upholds Magnus' indomitable spirit and enthusiasm.
Olsson was a six-time Volvo Ocean Race participant and was synonymous with passionate ocean sailing in his home country. His career began in the 505 and, after stops in the America's Cup ("Sverige", 1976), led him to the world he loved: the "liquid Himalayas" of the earth. He won the most famous race around the world in 1997/1998 with Paul Cayard on the "EF Language". Olsson himself called this victory one of the greatest successes of his career.
Now Pelle Petterson has been honoured. For many years, Pelle Petterson was one of Sweden's best sailors. With two Olympic medals in the Star class - a bronze medal in 1964 and a silver medal in 1972 - and a further ten World Championship medals, including a gold medal in 1969, he was also a top name on the international sailing circuit. Twice he led a Swedish challenge for the America's Cup, in 1977 and 1980, with the boat "Sverige". Both times with Mange Olsson as a team member.
He also sailed on board "The Card", the Swedish entry in the 1989/90 edition of the Whitbread Round the World Race, the predecessor to the Ocean Race.
Pelle is not only a renowned sailor, but also a design icon, especially in the marine industry, where over 100,000 boats have been built according to his designs. In addition, Pelle created a Volvo sports car, the P1800, which is now a classic. His other design products range from watches to a Stena ferry.
Pelle is the first member of the Swedish Sailing Hall of Fame. He also had an influence in developing Magnus Olsson into the famous sailor he was to become after offering him a place as crew on board the Swedish America's Cup challenger "Sverige" in 1977. Pelle had recognised that Mange was a good dinghy sailor who had also dedicated his project at KTH (The Royal Institute of Technology) to the computerisation of compasses. Mange helped Pelle to create a navigation system for the campaign. Now the circle is complete, Pelle Petterson wins the Magnus Olsson Prize 2022.
Lars Bolle
Chief Editor Digital
