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."

ASSA ABLOY’s multinational crew is now complete (12 crew) for the start of the Volvo Ocean Race, on the 23rd of September in Southampton:

Roy Heiner (NL) - skipper
Mark Rudiger (USA) - co-skipper and navigator
Magnus Olsson (SWE) - helmsman/strategy
Neal McDonald (UK) - helmsman/trimmer
Guillermo Altadill (SPA) - helmsman/trimmer
Klas Nylöf (SWE) - helmsman/trimmer
Sidney Gavignet (FRA) - helmsman/trimmer
Jules Mazars (FRA) - helmsman/trimmer
Jason Carrington (UK) - bowman/trimmer
Mike Joubert (RSA) - bowman/trimmer
Stu Wilson (NZL) - trimmer/onboard sail maker
Richard Mason (NZL) - trimmer/pit