Please select your home edition
Edition
Barton Marine Pipe Glands

Ocean Race legend Carolijn Brouwer awarded Magnus Olsson Prize

by Mats Olsson 9 Aug 2019 02:10 NZST
Carolijn Brouwer is awarded the Magnus Olsson Prize © Martin Keruzore / Volvo Ocean Race

The Mange Olsson Memorial Foundation has revealed that Carolijn Brouwer - one of the first females ever to win The Ocean Race in the 2017-18 edition - has scooped its prestigious award for 2019.

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, Grant Dalton and Stan Honey along with Olympic sailing legends like Sir Ben Ainslie and Santiago Lange.

The reasoning: Like few other sailors, Carolijn Brouwer has showcased an ability to perform at top-level in several disciplines of the sport of sailing. In a sport historically dominated by men, Carolijn has pushed the boundaries and been a true pioneer showcasing how women can race competitively, and win, against men. Her outstanding track-record includes racing in three editions of The Ocean Race and competing in three Olympic Games. Carolijn was also awarded the World Sailor of the Year Award in 1998 and 2018.

Brouwer became one of the first females to win The Ocean Race - dubbed the 'toughest test of a team in sport' - when she competed in the 2017-18 edition of the event onboard Dongfeng Race Team.

The achievement was notable not just for making history, but for being part of an edition pioneering future pathways for female participation - every boat in the Race featured a mixed crew - and The Ocean Race is one of just a few global sporting events featuring world-class male and female athletes competing alongside each other on the same team.

Brouwer described winning The Ocean Race as 'a dream come true' and achieved her childhood goal at the third time of asking, having first been a crewmember of the all-female Amer Sports Too and Team SCA campaigns in 2001-02 and 2014-15. It was during her time as a key member of the SCA crew that Carolijn worked closely with Magnus, who was Team SCA's coach at the time of his passing in 2013.

"It's an honour to be awarded this prize and counted amongst sailing legends and The Ocean Race winners - it's hugely inspirational," said Carolijn.

"Myself and the whole Team SCA had a special connection with Mange - I think everyone who knew him would say the same thing - and the first thing everyone talks about is his smile. The endless smile that he had on his face, his love for sailing and life in general, and his determination to never give up was infectious.

"The lessons I learned from Mange have shaped me into the sailor and the person that I am today. His values will keep guiding me through the rest of my life. I have Mange to thank for the start of my offshore sailing, but also for the win in the last edition of The Ocean Race with Dongfeng."

She added: "I know that Magnus would be hugely proud of me becoming one of the first women to win The Ocean Race - it's thanks to him that I had that opportunity. Team SCA was the first all-female project in 12 years, and the mixed rule in the 2017-18 edition would never have happened if it wasn't for the SCA campaign. Magnus played a key part in that, and there are many women in our sport that have him to thank for helping them to get to where they are now in their sailing careers."

Carolijn is a true team-player with a genuine personality and high integrity. These attributes combined with her love of sailing contributes to her being one of the most admired and liked people in the sport of sailing. She is down-to-earth, devoted to her family and dedicated to sharing what the sport has given her.

Hailing from Leiden, the Netherlands, Brouwer is a three-time Olympian, having competed at the 2000, 2004 and 2008 Games - and has twice been named World Sailor of the Year, in 1998 and 2018.

The Magnus Olsson Prize and the Scholarship Awards will be presented at a ceremony in Stockholm August 29.

Related Articles

Offshore Double Handed Worlds Qualifying Race 2
Worlds Apart, Side by Side The second qualification race of the 2025 Offshore Double Handed Worlds started from Cowes, Isle of Wight in a crisp northeasterly, 10 knots under clear skies. But what began as a gentle gradient breeze soon turned into a punishing test of endurance. Posted today at 4:46 pm
Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez starts tomorrow
245 competitors vying for 19 trophies Saturday 27 September heralds the start of the 27th edition of Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez. A great many of the Société Nautique de Saint-Tropez's 245 guests have already made the famous port in France's Var department. Posted today at 4:31 pm
Sailors shift focus to The Ocean Race Atlantic
The new transatlantic race connects two iconic cities - New York and Barcelona As The Ocean Race Europe came to a close in Montenegro, sailors and teams started to turn their attention to the next event in The Ocean Race calendar - The Ocean Race Atlantic: New York to Barcelona. Posted today at 2:11 pm
SailGP and America's Cup on collision course
Serious schedule clashes ahead as a group of professional sailors try to serve two masters. The tectonic plates of the sailing world, SailGP and America's Cup, are a collision course, with the Big Bang expected in 2027, when there is expected to be some serious schedule clashes as a group of professional sailors try to serve two masters. Posted today at 12:51 pm
2025 Six Metre World Championship Day 4
Three races for both divisions on the penultimate day in Osyter Bay Three races for both divisions on the penultimate day of the 2025 Six Metre World Championships at the Seawanhaka Corinthian Yacht Club, produced some great competition and a new race winner. Posted today at 5:20 am
46th Cannes Royal Regatta day 4
Storm... of calm! After three wonderful days of "champagne sailing" as the Anglo-Saxons say, the "fan" decided to take a break this Thursday. Posted today at 5:12 am
2025 J/70 Corinthian Worlds at Massachusetts day 2
Alec Cutler's Hedgehog takes charge after 3 more races held Winds at 10-15 knots, murky skies and rolling waves were the order of the day at the J/70 Corinthian World Championship in Marblehead, Massachusetts USA. Posted on 25 Sep
2025 Formula Wing Worlds Sardinia day 2
Hard yards for short-course gladiators Day two of the Formula Wing World Championships in Cagliari, Sardinia, delivered five short-course races and a whole range of emotions across the 93-strong international fleet. Posted on 25 Sep
52 Super Series 2025 Porto Cervo day 3
Sled lead in Porto Cervo and have slashed American Magic's circuit lead in chase for the title The strong Mistral breeze on Sardinia's Costa Smeralda dropped away nicely today and three good, highly competitive races were completed, bringing the 52 SUPER SERIES - Porto Cervo - Range Rover regatta back to schedule. Posted on 25 Sep
Melges 24 Worlds 2025 at Trieste, Italy Day 3
Light winds compress the standings in Trieste The 2025 Melges 24 World Championship, organized by Yacht Club Adriaco in collaboration with the International Melges 24 Class Association and with the support of the Italian Melges 24 Class, continues in something of a slow-motion rhythm. Posted on 25 Sep
Doyle_SailWorld_728X90px_GP BOTTOMPredictWind - Routing 728x90 BOTTOMHyde Sails 2024 - One Design