MAGNUS OLSSON
Born in Stockholm, Sweden, Magnus Olsson, from an early age
excelled in sports such as ice hockey, soccer, tennis and table tennis. It wasn't until
the age of 17 that he began to concentrate on sailing. Magnus started out sailing OK
dinghies, 5o5s and Lasers. He was the Swedish 5o5 Champion in 1974 and 1975, and competed
in several Nordic championships during the 70's. He raced R6s and R8s and took the World
Champion title three times in the R6 and twice in R8 during the the 70's and 80's.
Magnus, educated as an engineer, has
worked in the sailing industry since 1977. He was navigator and responsible for all
electronic equipment, as well as developing computer system on-board Pelle Pettersson's
Americas Cup boat "Sverige". After the America's Cup, he began sailing in the
Big Boat Grand Prix Circuit. He has represented Sweden six times in the Admiral's Cup
between 1979 and 1987. Magnus has also competed in some of the most prestigious
international regattas and races including: SORC, Sardinia CUP, Kenwood Cup and
Transatlantic.
1985-86 was Magnus's first Whitbread
on-board the English boat "Drum". In 1989-90, he sailed on-board "The
Card" as co-skipper together with Roger Nilson and in 1993-94 on "Intrum
Justitia" as watch captain. Magnus,
Team EF's Sports
Operations Manager, sailed as watch captain on EF Language.
Olsson to join Assa Abloy
Assa Abloy today announced that Whitbread
veteran Magnus Olsson will join the Volvo Ocean Race team...
Four times Whitbread sailor Magnus Olsson will join the crew on Assa Abloy in the upcoming
Volvo Ocean Race. At the age of 52 Olsson is the oldest man in the race. Though originally
intending to stay ashore for his fifth Ocean Race, the lure of the competition has proved
too great and Olsson has persuaded his family that he can venture south one more time.
"It hasn't been in my mind in the very beginning. I thought I would be a big part of
it in the building and up to the start and then I would have more of a supportive
function. Time has ticked by and perhaps I have to reconsider it a bit," said Olsson
immediately after his position on the boat was confirmed.
Though initially confirmed on the crew list for the first leg, provided there are no
mishaps it seems certain that Olsson will complete the entire race. Though undoubtedly a
tower of strength in the crew and more experienced than anyone aboard, Olsson is listed
simply as a general crew member and helmsman.
Olsson won the '97-'98 Whitbread Round The World Race as watch captain onboard EF
Language. The Swedish sailing legend was one of the initiators of the Assa Abloy Racing
Team and he has been Technical Director during the construction of the two Assa Abloy
boats. In addition Olsson has also been highly involved in appointing crew, training and
testing sails.
"Magnus Olsson is the heart and soul of this campaign," says skipper Roy Heiner,
"and it is great to have him onboard. He is one of the most knowledgeable Whitbread
sailors in the fleet, and especially on the long off shore legs he is one of the best
helmsmen out there. He is also a strong contribution on the boat for his positive energy,
motivational qualities and strong drive."
