# Pelle Petterson

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Swedish sailor

Pelle Petterson Pelle Petterson in June 2010 Personal information Born (1932-07-31) 31 July 1932 (age 93) Stockholm, Sweden Sailing career Sport Sailing Club Kattegattflottiljen Class(es) Star, Soling, 6 Metre, 12 Metre

**Pelle Helmer Petterson** (born 31 July 1932) is a Swedish [sailor](/source/Yacht_racing) and yacht designer. Petterson has won two Olympic medals, four world championship titles, challenged for the [America's Cup](/source/America's_Cup) and designed several sailboats, including [Maxi 77](/source/Maxi_77).

## Biography

### Early life

Pelle Petterson was born in Stockholm, Sweden on 31 July 1932[1] to [Helmer Petterson](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Helmer_Petterson&action=edit&redlink=1) and Norwegian-born Borgny Petterson (born Holm). His father was also a designer who developed wood gas aggregates and [Volvo PV444](/source/Volvo_PV444), strongly influencing his son to go in his footsteps. In his youth, Petterson built gravity racers and sailed in the [Stjärnbåt](/source/Stj%C3%A4rnb%C3%A5t) class.[2]

### Design career

A [Maxi 77](/source/Maxi_77), designed by Petterson

[Monark 606s](/source/Monark_606), designed by Petterson

A [Volvo P1800](/source/Volvo_P1800), designed by Petterson

Petterson studied at the [Pratt Institute](/source/Pratt_Institute) in New York from 1955 to 1957.[3] He designed the [12 mR yacht](/source/12_Metre) *[Sverige](/source/Sverige_(yacht))*, 17 [6 mR](/source/6_Metre) yachts, and worked with [Maxi](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Maxi_(yard)&action=edit&redlink=1), [Nimbus](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Nimbus_(yard)&action=edit&redlink=1) and [Monark Crescent](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Monark_Crescent&action=edit&redlink=1).[4] The Maxi series comprise about 30 designs, among them the [Maxi 77](/source/Maxi_77).[2] He has also designed the sailboats [Monark 606](/source/Monark_606) and [C 55](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=C_55_(sailboat)&action=edit&redlink=1).[5] In 2003, he designed the [Swedish Match 40](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Swedish_Match_40&action=edit&redlink=1) for [match racing](/source/Match_racing) events.[6]

He also designed [Volvo](/source/Volvo_Cars)'s successful sports car, the [P1800](/source/Volvo_P1800), while he was a student of [Pietro Frua](/source/Pietro_Frua).[7]

### Sailing career

Competing in the [Star class](/source/Sailing_at_the_1964_Summer_Olympics_%E2%80%93_Star), Petterson won a bronze in 1964 together with [Holger Sundström](/source/Holger_Sundstr%C3%B6m).[8] He held the world title in this event in 1969, when he won the [1969 Star World Championship](/source/1969_Star_World_Championship) in [San Diego](/source/San_Diego) together with [Ulf Schröder](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ulf_Schr%C3%B6der&action=edit&redlink=1).[3]

In 1972, Petterson was back at the Olympics, again competing in the [Star class](/source/Sailing_at_the_1972_Summer_Olympics_%E2%80%93_Star), this time winning a silver medal.[8] Petterson, along with [Stellan Westerdahl](/source/Stellan_Westerdahl), led the regatta after five races, but struggles in the sixth race made [David Forbes](/source/David_Forbes_(sailor)) of Australia winning the gold.[1]

With money from the [Maxi 77](/source/Maxi_77) design, and sponsored by [SCA](/source/SCA_(company)), [Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken](/source/Skandinaviska_Enskilda_Banken) and Volvo, Petterson challenged for the [America's Cup](/source/America's_Cup) two times.[2] With the yacht *[Sverige](/source/Sverige_(yacht))*, Pettersons team competed in the [1977 Herbert Pell Cup](/source/1977_Herbert_Pell_Cup) and [1980 Herbert Pell Cup](/source/1980_Herbert_Pell_Cup), advancing to the final in the 1977 edition.[1]

In Sweden, Pettersson represented Kattegatflottiljen in [Gothenburg](/source/Gothenburg).[1]

## Personal life

Petterson in the 1960s

Pelle Petterson married Irene and has three children.[2] One of them, Cecilia, designs a sailing clothing and sports wear bearing the name Petterson, under the brand name *Pelle P.*. His other daughter, Ulrika "Icka", lives in the U.S. and is married to [Paul Cayard](/source/Paul_Cayard), an American yachtsman and professional sailor.

Since 1975, Pelle Petterson and Irene are residing in [Kullavik](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Kullavik&action=edit&redlink=1).[9]

## Awards

Petterson was the first person to be inducted into the Swedish Sailing Hall of Fame.[1] On 14 May 2004 he received the Swedish Business Award for Outstanding Achievements of the first grade from the West Swedish Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Among previous recipients are [Arvid Carlsson](/source/Arvid_Carlsson) Nobel laureate, [Ingvar Kamprad](/source/Ingvar_Kamprad) founder of Ikea and [Pehr G. Gyllenhammar](/source/Pehr_G._Gyllenhammar) former CEO of Volvo.

On 19 November 2004 he received the KTH's Stora Pris from the [Royal Institute of Technology](/source/Royal_Institute_of_Technology) in Stockholm.[10]

On 8 June 2010 Petterson received from [Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden](/source/Carl_XVI_Gustaf_of_Sweden) the King's Medal (12th size bright-blue ribbon[11]) for outstanding contributions as a yachtsman and boat designer.

## Achievements

- *As of 27 September 2015[12]*

Year Competition Venue Position Event 1964 Olympic Games Enoshima, Japan 3rd Star class 1966 Star World Championship Kiel, West Germany 7th Star class 1967 Star World Championship Copenhagen, Denmark 5th Star class 1969 Star World Championship San Diego, USA 1st Star class Soling World Championship Copenhagen, DEN 2nd Soling 1970 Star World Championship Marstrand, Sweden 13th Star class 1971 Star World Championship Puget Sound, USA 7th Star class 1972 Star World Championship Caracas, Venezuela 4th Star class Olympic Games Kiel, West Germany 2nd Star class 1973 Star World Championship San Diego Bay, USA 8th Star class 1974 Star World Championship Laredo, Spain 2nd Star class 1976 Star World Championship Nassau, Bahamas 8th Star class 1977 6 Metre World Cup Marstrand, Sweden 1st 6 Metre class 1978 Star World Championship San Francisco, USA 17th Star class 1979 Star World Championship Marstrand, Sweden 6th Star class 6 Metre World Cup Seattle, USA 1st 6 Metre class 1983 6 Metre World Cup Newport, USA 1st 6 Metre class 1995 Star World Championship Laredo, Spain 63rd Star class 1998 Star World Championship Portorož, Slovenia 89th Star class 2009 Star World Championship Varberg, Sweden 61st Star class

## See also

- [Monark 540](/source/Monark_540)

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-sok_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-sok_1-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-sok_1-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-sok_1-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-sok_1-4) ["Pelle Petterson"](https://sok.se/idrottare/idrottare/p/pelle-petterson.html). *Swedish Olympic Committee*.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-att-finna_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-att-finna_2-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-att-finna_2-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-att-finna_2-3) Ståhlberg, Carin (29 July 2016). ["Att finna sin form"](https://web.archive.org/web/20161009115223/https://www.dn.se/nyheter/sverige/att-finna-sin-form/). *Dagens Nyheter*. Archived from [the original](https://www.dn.se/nyheter/sverige/att-finna-sin-form/) on 9 October 2016.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-fyller-90-aar_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-fyller-90-aar_3-1) Karlsson, Ronny. ["Seglaren Pelle Petterson fyller 90 år"](https://norrahalland.se/familj/seglaren-pelle-petterson-fyller-90-aar/30722). *Norra Halland*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["Pelle Petterson"](https://www.ne.se/uppslagsverk/encyklopedi/lång/pelle-petterson). *[Nationalencyklopedin](/source/Nationalencyklopedin)*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** Cronenberg, Elke. ["Pelle Pettersson"](https://web.archive.org/web/20200814235312/https://www.svensksegling.se/svenskaseglarforbundet/utmarkelser/Halloffame/PellePettersson/). *[Swedish Sailing Federation](/source/Swedish_Sailing_Federation)*. Archived from [the original](https://www.svensksegling.se/svenskaseglarforbundet/utmarkelser/Halloffame/PellePettersson/) on 14 August 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["New Petterson design for Swedish Match"](https://www.yachtingworld.com/news/new-petterson-design-for-swedish-match-42224). *[Yachting World](/source/Yachting_World)*. 3 July 2003.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** Swärd, Lasse (8 November 2009). ["Volvo ger upprättelse åt P1800:s skapare"](https://web.archive.org/web/20091109033814/http://www.alltommotor.se/artiklar/nyheter/volvo-ger-upprattelse-at-p1800s-skapare-1.17745) [Volvo provide redress to the P1800's creator]. *[Dagens Nyheter](/source/Dagens_Nyheter)*. Archived from [the original](http://www.alltommotor.se/artiklar/nyheter/volvo-ger-upprattelse-at-p1800s-skapare-1.17745) on 9 November 2009. Retrieved 8 November 2009.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-olympedia_8-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-olympedia_8-1) ["Pelle Petterson"](https://www.olympedia.org/athletes/63292). *Olympedia*. Retrieved 9 June 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** Johansson, Josefine (30 July 2022). ["Designlegendaren fyller 90: "Känner mig som 40""](https://www.kungsbackaposten.se/nyheter/designlegendaren-pelle-pettersson-fyller-90-kanner-mig-som-40-ar-.bc0b6063-eef3-4085-901d-f14d90eb885d).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** ["KTHs Stora pris – Samtliga vinnare (KTH's Grand Prize – All the winners)"](https://web.archive.org/web/20091206122004/http://www.kth.se/om/fame/kths-stora-pris/1.3972), *[KTH](/source/Royal_Institute_of_Technology)*, 29 September 2009, archived from [the original](http://www.kth.se/om/fame/kths-stora-pris/1.3972) on 6 December 2009, retrieved 8 November 2009

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** [*HM King Carl XVI Gustaf Medals*](https://web.archive.org/web/20100816074926/http://www.royalcourt.se/royalcourt/mediacentre/pressreleases/pressreleases/medalpresentations.5.130af452128eff9afdd80002267.html), 8 June 2010, archived from [the original](http://www.royalcourt.se/royalcourt/mediacentre/pressreleases/pressreleases/medalpresentations.5.130af452128eff9afdd80002267.html) on 16 August 2010, retrieved 8 June 2010

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** ["Sailor Biography"](https://members.sailing.org/sailors/biog.php?memberid=117175). *members.sailing.org*.

## External links

- [pellepetterson.se](http://www.pellepetterson.se/)

- [Pelle Petterson](https://www.olympedia.org/athletes/63292) at [Olympedia](/source/Olympedia)

- [Pelle Petterson](https://olympics.com/en/athletes/pelle-petterson) at [Olympics.com](/source/International_Olympic_Committee)

- [Pelle Petterson](http://sok.se/idrottare/idrottare/p/pelle-petterson.html) at [*Sveriges Olympiska Kommitté*](/source/Swedish_Olympic_Committee) (in Swedish) ([in English](https://sok-se.translate.goog/idrottare/idrottare/p/pelle-petterson.html?_x_tr_sl=sv&_x_tr_tl=en))

- [Pelle Petterson](https://web.archive.org/web/20241130/https://www.sailing.org/sailor/?ref=SWEPP3) at [World Sailing](/source/World_Sailing) (archived)

v t e World champions in 6 Metre 1973: Blackaller 1975: Fredell 1977: Petterson 1979: Petterson 1981: no champion decided 1983: Petterson 1985: Dürr 1987: Owen 1989: Kostecki 1991: Carlsson 1993: Favini & Bassani 1995: Piehl 1997: Owen, Howe, Lipsett, Smallridge & Barron 1999: Haissly, Berthoud, Megavand, Pachoud & Bechard 2003: Piehl 2005: Grünau, Batzil & Eich 2007: Haissly 2009: Stenbeck 2011: Marilley 2013: MacDonald, Costa, Kinsey, Vogel & Griffin 2015: Marilley, Berthoud, Schadegg, Dürr & Nicole

v t e World champions in Star 1923: Inslee & Nelson 1924: Robinson & Knapp 1925: Iselin & Willis 1926: Comstock & Gidley 1927: Hubbard & Edwards 1928: Edrington & Gray 1929: G. Johnson & L. Johnson 1930: Knapp & Weed 1931: McHugh & Watkins 1932: Fink & Thorne 1933: Waterhouse & Metcalf 1934: Beardslee & Lehmann 1935: Beardslee & Lehmann 1936: Iselin & Horder 1937: Wegeforth & Phillips 1938: von Hütschler & Weise 1939: von Hütschler & Beyn 1940: J. Cowie & G. Cowie 1941: Fleitz & Severence 1942: Nye & Fahlstrom 1943: Deacon & Roehm 1944: Driscoll & Burnham 1945: Burnham & North 1946: Fleitz & Krug 1947: Knowles & Levin 1948: Pirie & Rugeroni 1949: Nye & Fahlström 1950: Lippincott & Levin 1951: E. W. Etchells & M. Etchelles 1952: Straulino & Rode 1953: Straulino & Rode 1954: de Cárdenas & de Cárdenas Jr. 1955: de Cárdenas & de Cárdenas Jr. 1956: Straulino & Rode 1957: North & Hill 1958: Ficker & Yorston 1959: North & Carlile 1960: North & Skahill 1961: W. E. Buchan & Knight 1962: Stearns & L. Williams 1963: Duplin & Dolan 1964: D. Edler & K. Edler 1965: Bever & Lewsadder 1966: Elvstrøm & Albrechtson 1967: Elvstrøm & Mik-Meyer 1969: Petterson & Schröder 1970: W. E. Buchan & Sutter 1971: Conner & J. Reynolds 1972: Kuhweide & Meyer 1973: North & Barrett 1974: Blackaller & Anderson 1975: Schoonmaker & Ford 1976: Allsopp & Guhin 1977: Conner & Anderson 1978: Melges & Josenhans 1979: Melges & Josenhans 1980: Blackaller & Shaw 1981: Hagen & Hösch 1982: Gorostegui & Doreste 1983: Gorostegui & Doreste 1984: Gorla & Peraboni 1985: W. E. Buchan & Erickson 1986: Brun & Schreiner 1987: Adams & Olsen 1988: Cayard & Erickson 1989: Adler & Falcão 1990: T. Grael & Ferreira 1991: Benamati & Salani 1992: W. C. Buchan & Schreiner 1993: Londrigan & Trinter 1994: MacDonald & Jespersen 1995: M. Reynolds & Haenel 1996: Chieffi & Sinibaldi 1997: Hagen & Ferreira 1998: Beashel & Giles 1999: Doyle & Olsen 2000: M. Reynolds & Liljedahl 2001: Lööf & Finnsgård 2002: Percy & Mitchell 2003: Rohart & Rambeau 2004: Lööf & Ekström 2005: Rohart & Rambeau 2006: Pepper & C. Williams 2007: Scheidt & Prada 2008: Kusznierewicz & Życki 2009: Szabo & Peters 2010: Percy & Simpson 2011: Scheidt & Prada 2012: Scheidt & Prada 2013: MacCausland & Trinter 2014: Stanjek & Kleen 2015: L. Grael & Gonçalves 2016: Diaz & Prada 2017: Melleby & Revkin 2018: Zarif & Hamelmann 2019: Kusznierewicz & Prada 2020: cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic 2021: Negri & Kleen 2022: Negri & Lambertenghi 2025: Cayard & Kleen

v t e European champions in Star 1932: Aizpurua & De Amibilia 1933: Peytel & de Bagneux 1934: Giannini & Amalfitano 1935: Postiglione & Gianturco 1936: von Hütschler & Weise 1937: Bischoff & Weise 1938: Straulino & Rode 1947: Nordio & Rode 1948: Cosentino & Morelli 1949: Straulino & Rode 1950: Straulino & Rode 1951: Straulino & Rode 1952: Straulino & Rode 1953: Straulino & Rode 1954: Straulino & Rode 1955: Straulino & Rode 1956: Straulino & Rode 1957: Fiúza & Pessoa 1958: Fiúza & Pessoa 1959: Straulino & Rolandi 1960: Pisani & Desaubliaux 1961: Debarge & Calonne 1962: D. M. Bello & F. Bello 1963: Croce & Saidelli 1964: Pinegin & Shutkov 1965: Rolandi & Marino 1966: Duplin & Riess 1967: Wennerström & Lybeck 1968: Petterson & Westerdahl 1969: Larsson & Tell 1970: Wennerström & Christensson 1971: Schoonmaker & Dudinsky 1972: Petterson & Westerdahl 1973: Meier & WunderliI 1974: Blackaller & Anderson 1975: Kuntz & Nusser 1976: Allsopp & Wiler 1977: Schoonmaker & Steinmayer 1978: Raudaschl & Ferstl 1979: Mankin & Muzychenko 1980: Hagen & Hösch 1981: Hagen & Hösch 1982: Gorostegui & Doreste 1983: Hagen & Hösch 1984: Biganishvilli & Zubin 1985: Gorla & Peraboni 1986: Bakker & Vandenberg 1987: Brun & Schreiner 1988: Adams & Hennig 1989: Grael & Ferreira 1990: Nissen & Bartel 1991: Grael & Ferreira 1992: Andersen & Just Mikkelsen 1993: Andersen & Just Mikkelsen 1994: Hestbæk & Heijsberg 1995: MacDonald & Jespersen 1996: Rasmussen & Harsberg 1997: Reynolds & Liljedahl 1998: Reynolds & Liljedahl 1999: Beashel & Giles 2000: Hösch & Fendt 2001: Lööf & Liljedahl 2002: Lööf & Ekström 2003: Grael & Ferreira 2004: Lööf & Ekström 2005: Percy & Mitchell 2006: Mendelblatt & Strube 2007: Marazzi & De Maria 2008: Stanjek & Koy 2009: Scheidt & Prada 2010: Polgar & Koy 2011: Negri & Voltolini 2012: Kusznierewicz & Życki 2013: Negri & Kleen 2014: Merkelbach & Koy 2015: Rohart & Guidoux

v t e Swedish champions in Star 1932: Gedda & Scherman 1933: Dag Sundén-Cullberg & Daniel Sundén-Cullberg 1934: Dag Sundén-Cullberg & Daniel Sundén-Cullberg 1935: Dag Sundén-Cullberg & Daniel Sundén-Cullberg 1936: S. Hedberg & Kumlien 1937: von Rosen 1938: Christiansen 1939: Christiansen 1940: Plym 1941: A. Bonnier & B. Bonnier 1942: Verne & Gulde 1943: Billberg & Jansson 1944: Plym 1945: Berg & Arnell 1946: Melin & Edding 1947: Berg & Arnell 1948: Börjesson & Olsson 1949: Melin & Engqvist 1950: Löfgren & S. Carlsson 1951: Löfgren & S. Carlsson 1952: Melin & B. Carlsson 1953: P. Chancerel & Parent 1954: S. Carlsson & O. Carlsson 1955: Fischer & Wunderlich 1956: B. Chancerel & Parent 1957: S. Carlsson & Per-Olof Karlsson 1958: C. de Bokay & A. de Bokay 1959: S. Carlsson & Per-Olof Karlsson 1960: Engwall & Åkerson 1961: Schrauder & Scheidegger 1962: H. Tallberg & P. Tallberg 1963: P. Petterson & Sundström 1964: Bjerkander & Hultman 1965: P. Tallberg & H. Tallberg 1966: Albrechtson & Svensson 1967: Albrechtson & Norrman 1968: Wennerström & Christensson 1969: Albrechtson & B. Johansson 1970: P. Petterson & Westerdahl 1971: Wennerström & Christensson 1972: P. Petterson & Westerdahl 1973: Tell & B. Larsson 1974: S. Carlsson & O. Carlsson 1975: Engwall & Malmlund 1976: S. Carlsson & U. Carlsson 1977: S. Carlsson & C. Petterson 1978: B. Larsson & Tell 1979: Wennerström & Roslund 1980: Albrechtson & I. Hansson 1981: Wallén & Dubois 1982: Löfstedt & Alsén 1983: K. Carlsson & Eyermann 1984: Gorostegui & Doreste 1985: K. Carlsson & Oljelund 1986: M. Johansson & M. Hansson 1987: M. Johansson & M. Hansson 1988: Hagen & Girr 1989: M. Johansson & Hemlin 1990: Wallén & M. Hansson 1991: Wallén & Lohse 1992: Wallén & Lohse 1993: M. Johansson & Hemlin 1994: Wallén & Lohse 1995: Sandberg & Björnberg 1996: M. Johansson & Hemlin 1997: O. Johansson & D. Hansson 1998: Schroeder & Ebel 1999: O. Johansson & Edwall 2000: M. Johansson & Möller 2001: M. Johansson & Möller 2002: J. Hedberg & M. Larsson 2003: Lööf & Ekström 2004: Holm & Olesen 2005: Ljungkvist & Alm 2006: Lööf & Ekström 2007: Löfstedt & M. Larsson 2008: Löfstedt & M. Larsson 2009: M. Johansson & Möller 2010: M. Johansson & Möller 2011: Philip Carlson & B. Peterson 2012: Philip Carlson & B. Peterson 2013: Philip Carlson & B. Peterson 2014: Philip Carlson & B. Peterson 2015: Löfstedt & M. Larsson

Authority control databases International ISNI VIAF 2 GND National Sweden

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Pelle Petterson](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pelle_Petterson) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pelle_Petterson?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.