2024 Magnus Olsson Prize to Cammas

Franck Cammas, the French sailing champion, has been named the winner of the 2024 Magnus (Mange) Olsson Prize.

Cammas has had a wildly successful career at sea, winning just about every offshore yacht racing title in the books (several of them multiple times), including the Solitaire de Figaro, the Transat Jacques Vabre, the Route du Rhum, The Ocean Race, and the Jules Verne Trophy, to name just a few among many, many other titles and championships.

His accomplishments aren’t limited to offshore sailing as match racing titles and catamaran dinghy championships are sprinkled throughout a career that also includes multiple America’s Cup campaigns. For his efforts, Cammas was named Sailor of the Decade by the Fédération Française de Voile (French Sailing Federation) in December 2020.

“I have been incredibly fortunate through my career to race in a variety of events that represent the very best in the sport of sailing,” Cammas says. “From this wide perspective it is clear our sport – whether we are racing small dinghies or large offshore race yachts – is uniquely positioned to inspire and bring out the very best in us as we compete on the ocean.

“I know Magnus was one of those who inspired his teammates every day with his energy and spirit and I’m honored to join the impressive list of leaders in our sport who have been awarded the Magnus Olsson Prize.”

Every year, the Magnus Olsson Prize is awarded annually to an individual who has made an impactful contribution to the sport of sailing – and previous recipients include The Ocean Race winners Torben Grael, Simon ‘SiFi’ Fisher, Grant Dalton, Carolijn Brouwer, and Stan Honey along with Olympic sailing legends like Sir Ben Ainslie, Peter Burling, Martine Grael, and Santiago Lange.

The 11th Magnus Olsson Prize will be presented to Cammas together with a scholarship to young sailors at a Mange-style ceremony in Stockholm on August 27, celebrating the spirit and passion that Mange displayed throughout his sailing career.

Past Winners:
2014 Torben Grael (BRA)
2015 Ben Ainslie (GBR)
2016 Stan Honey (USA)
2017 Santiago Lange (ARG)
2018 Grant Dalton (NZL)
2019 Carolijn Brouwer (NED)
2020 Peter Burling (NZL)
2021 Martine Grael (BRA)
2022 Pelle Petterson (SWE)
2023 Simon Fisher (GBR)
2024 Franck Cammas

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.

Source: Mange Olsson Foundation