Sailing legend Pelle Petterson was inducted into the STENA Match Cup Hall of Fame last night, becoming the third entry since it started in 2009 alongside fellow Swede Magnus Holmberg and Australian Peter Gilmour.

The 80-year-old sailing legend conquered an Olympic bronze in 1964 and an Olympic silver in 1972, as well as a World Championship gold in 1969.

His Hall of Fame jury's citation reads:

‘Pelle Petterson is not only an icon in Swedish sporting history, with medals at both World Championships and Olympic Games, he has also been a driving force behind the Swedish challenge in the America's Cup in 1977 and 1980, which became the springboard for modern Swedish match racing sailing.

Pelle’s legacy has helped to educate many Swedish skippers to success on the global stage in match racing and his broad experience in racing and design has been close to the development of STENA Match Cup Sweden, his name has appeared on the race teams for many years.’

In addition to his sailing success, Pelle Petterson is most famous for having designed boats. In total, more than 85 000 boats manufactured in accordance with his drawings. He said: “It is great to see how this event has progressed to the point where the top sailors from around the world now all want to be here.

“I don’t feel like I’ve had such a big part to play as the guys who have earned this honour before me but I am so happy to be here at this great event with great organisers and alongside names like Magnus Holmberg and Peter Gilmour in the STENA Match Cup Hall of Fame.”