Magnus Olsson Prize honors Paul Cayard

The Magnus Olsson Foundation has named Paul Cayard (USA), among the most accomplished and respected figures in the sport, as the recipient of the 2026 Magnus Olsson Prize.

With a career spanning more than four decades at the highest level of the sport, Cayard represents the best of international sailing, as an athlete and leader, as well as a highly-regarded mentor and developer of the sport.

Born in San Francisco, Cayard rose through the ranks of competitive sailing to become an Olympian (2004) and eight-time world champion.

This includes two world titles in the Star class, an achievement that is both extraordinary and improbable, with the wins coming 37 years apart, showcasing a talent, dedication and longevity at the very top of the game that is second to none. Cayard was recognized as the Rolex Yachtsman of the Year in 2025, in large part due to this victory, which was widely celebrated throughout the sailing world.

Cayard is also renowned for his achievements in offshore racing. In 1997-98, he skippered ‘EF Language’ to victory in the Whitbread Round the World Race, becoming the first American skipper to win the event. He later finished second in the 2005–06 edition of the Volvo Ocean Race, and has countless titles in the Maxi class, Superyachts, and the offshore classics.

He has competed in multiple editions of the America’s Cup, notably skippering the Italian challenger ‘Il Moro di Venezia’ to victory in the 1992 Louis Vuitton Cup.

Beyond his racing success on the water, Cayard has made a significant contribution to the development and governance of sailing, holding leadership roles across teams, events, and international class associations, as well as leading the US Olympic Sailing Team.

With his competitive achievements and his impact on the sport of sailing, Cayard’s career on and off the water reflects the values of excellence, leadership, and sportsmanship celebrated by the Magnus Olsson Prize.

“I was fortunate enough to meet Magnus and to race with him and against him during our time in the Whitbread and Volvo races in the 90s and 2000s,” Cayard said. “The Magnus Olsson I knew was like a giant bottle of ‘Positive Attitude’ that you could pour on anything to make it shine.

“His personality and enthusiasm were magnetic. Magnus was the center of gravity of every boat, every meeting, every project. Whether he was with Heads of State at a formal dinner or with children sailing Optimists, Magnus could hang with them all. I think he is the only person I have ever known who everyone liked, who everyone would say, ‘he made my day better’.

“With that in mind, it’s truly an honor to accept the 2026 Magnus Olsson Prize. Thank you, Mange. We are all smiling thinking of you!”

The Prize Ceremony will be held on June 9 in Stockholm, Sweden.

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 (FRA)
2025 Charlie Dalin (FRA)
2026 Paul Cayard (USA)

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: The Ocean Race