Magnus Olsson Prize Awarded to Stan Honey

The American sailor and navigator, Stan Honey, has been awarded the 2016 Magnus ‘Mange’ Olsson Prize. The Award is named after one of the world’s greatest sailors, and arguably its most colourful, Swede Magnus “Mange” Olsson.

Stan Honey (© Jon Nash)

Magnus passed away following a stroke in April 2013. Shortly after his death a memorial fund was created in his name with the aim to promote Swedish youth sailing and boating activities by awarding grants to individuals or organisations. It also presents the annual Mange Olsson Award, honouring an individual or organisation that upholds Magnus’ indomitable spirit and enthusiasm.

As a navigator Stan Honey achieved tremendous success and holds a unique position in the sailing world. But above all, as a positive person and great team player much appreciated by everyone, he is not unlike Magnus Olsson.

Honey’s track record includes a victory in the Volvo Ocean Race and eleven wins in Transpac races across the Pacific Ocean. As navigator he holds the speed record for sailing around the World, and across the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.

Honey is the third recipient of the award following Torben Grael (BRA) in 2014 and Ben Ainslie (GBR) in 2015.

“I was stunned when I heard about the Magnus Olsson Prize,” remarked Honey. “Mange, Torben, and Ben are three of the sailors that I most look up to. I have had the pleasure of racing with Torben and Ben, and racing against Mange, and feel honoured to be mentioned on the same page as all of them.

Magnus Olsson (© Rick Tomlinson)

“Mange was unique in the sport and would light up any room with his smile and contagious laughter. I only sailed against him a few times but he made me feel like on old friend and always had time to chat and joke.”

However, Honey is not just a successful sailor and navigator with an impressive CV. The 61-year-old engineer has honours and masters degrees from Yale and Stanford universities, respectively, and he has won three Emmy Awards for his work in visualising sport on TV.

“Stan really is a world-class sailor,” notes says Carl-Henric Svanberg, Chairman of the Magnus Olsson Memorial Foundation. “As a navigator he was the decisive influence behind some big victories. And, like Mange, he had the ability to lift the team beyond their own expectations.”

Stan Honey will receive the prize at a ceremony at Skeppsholmen in Stockholm on Friday June 30 at 16:30 in the event area of ÅF Offshore Race – Round Gotland. At the ceremony two scholarships will also be awarded to young Swedish sailors. Scholarship recipients will have the opportunity to receive mentoring support over the course of a year, from the recipient of the Magnus Olsson Award.

Background:
The Mange Olsson Memorial Fund was created to continue the essence of enthusiasm, passion, and determination that Mange brought to the sport of sailing. In the spirit of Mange Olsson, the foundation will inspire and support young sailors in Sweden, as well as reward international sailors who develop our sport at both a human and a competitive level. The Foundation will also enable a network for young sailors to exchange experiences with the more established sailors. The Foundation is financially supported by companies and individuals who wish to ensure that the values that Mange embodied, continue to live on. For more information, contact Mats Olsson at mats@offensivsport.se or +46 70 633 6130.