SAILING LEGEND MAGNUS OLSSON DIES

SAILING LEGEND MAGNUS OLSSON DIES

Sailing legend Magnus Olsson has died in Spain after suffering a massive stroke. The 64 year-old, who competed in the Whitbread/Volvo Ocean Race in six editions from 1985 to 2008 and won in the 1997-98 race was named a Volvo Ocean Race Legends Ambassador in recognition of his enormous contribution to the event in 2011.

Loved by thousands of sailors around the world he became one of the most recognisable faces in recent sailing history and was working as a coach with the all-female Team SCA in Lanzarote when he suffered the stroke.

Team SCA said, 'Magnus Olsson, one of the greatest sportsmen in the world of sailing, has passed away at a hospital in Spain. His family and friends were by his side. Magnus suffered a stroke during the week and despite initial positive signs, deteriorated over the next days.'

CEO of Volvo Ocean Race, Knut Frostad said, 'It is with great sadness that I received the news of Magnus passing away. He was my mentor when I sailed round the world with him 20 years ago. He was the inspiration for me and for so many more. The sailing world will never be the same without Magnus and his smile.'

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