Hall of Fame

Pelle Petterson

pp 1957 01

Pelle Petterson in the Carozzeria Pietro Frua workshop [Photography Helmer Petterson]

Following in the footsteps of a father who contributed so much to the development of the P1800 would seem an almost impossible task for a young designer like Pelle. He was, to say the least, quite up to the task. Before going to work at Frua, the younger Petterson had already developed some of the styling sketches which shaped the new coupe. The Italian influence was apparent though, the biggest clue being the turned upsweep of the front bumpers reminiscent of the 1955 Lancia Aurelia Spider by Pininfarina. Pelle's designs were delivered to Gunnar Engellau along with other stylings from Frua in 1957. At that time, Frua received full credit for all the styling concepts and Engellau chose Pelle's body style without knowing that it had been prepared by Helmer Petterson's son. When Engellau discovered that Pelle was Helmer's son, he was outraged. He did however, stand by his decision and authorized construction of a prototype coupe based on Pelle's styling. [Bill Webb]

pp 2010 01

Pelle and Irene Petterson at Viking Classic Auto Show 2010, Chateau de Beauregard, France

Pelle Petterson Design

Seine Erfolge sind so zahlreich, dass deren Auflistung ganze Seiten füllen würde. Stellvertretend sei der Gewinn des legendären Stockholmer Seifenkisten- Rennens von 1942 genannt, das er im selbst gebastelten Auto, angefeuert von 30.000 Zuschauern, souverän gewann – mal abgesehen von einer Silber- und einer Bronzemedaille bei Olympischen Spielen 1964 und 1972 und etlichen Weltmeister- und Europameistertiteln, die im späteren Verlauf seines eindrucksvollen Sportlerlebens hinzukamen.

Wenig weiss man dagegen über seine berufliche Laufbahn. Dabei ist gerade die besonders interessant. Im Laufe seines Lebens ist es ihm gelungen, etliche Evergreens zu entwerfen, deren harmonische Formen bis heute nicht zu toppen sind. Er hat zahlreiche Preise und Ehrungen erhalten, so wurde zum Beispiel sein Lebenswerk mit dem Design-Preis der Königlich Technischen Hochschule Stockholms ausgezeichnet.

Fest steht: Pelle ist ehrgeizig, egal ob als Designer oder als Sportler. Diejenigen, die ihn näher kennen, behaupten, er sei immer auf der Suche nach Verbesserung, getragen von einem unerschütterlichen Optimismus.

PPY Production AB

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PPY Production AB designs, manufactures and sells under the trademark Pelle P technical sailing – and casual clothes as well as a ski – and winter collection where design is combined with high quality and function.

The company has its origin from the sailing legend Pelle Petterson who also has a unique skill as a successful designer and world – renowned competition yachtsman. The head office is located in Billdal outside Gothenburg with market presence in Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, Germany and Holland.

Der Weltklasse-Segler

Pelle Petterson is Sweden's greatest ever yachtsman. He has won the World Championship and Olympic Bronze and Silver medals for Starboat racing, a number of World Championship golds in R6 and a World Championship medal in Soling. He has also been the initiator and skipper at two Swedish America's Cup challenges.

pp 12

Not only an accomplished designer of racing yachts, he is also a world-class yachtsman. Pelle has been a strong contender in the sport for several years and in 1982, captured the World' s Cup 6-Meter regatta with a yacht of his own design.

Sailing results:

  • World Champion in Starboat in 1969
  • Olympic Bronze medallist in 1964
  • Olympic Silver medallist in 1972
  • America's Cup challenger in 1977 and 980
  • World Champion in 6-M in 1977, 1979 and 1983
  • World Champion in 8-M. European Champion in Starboat in 1968 and 1972
  • Winner of the Coupe de France in 6-M in 1986 and 1988
  • Several time winner of Gotland Runt
  • Several time winner of SkawRace
  • Class victory in S.O.R.C (Florida) in 1979
  • Overall winner in the Big Boat Series (SF) in 1988
  • Helmsman for 2 stages of the Whitbread Round the World Race in 1989–1990

The boat designer

As well as his many sporting successes, Pelle Petterson is a famous boat designer with an international reputation as the creator of the Maxi yachts and parts of the Nimbus motorboat series. More than 85,000 boats designed by Pelle Petterson have been produced.

Maxi yachts: Maxi 68, 77, 777, 84, 87, 95 ,100, 108, 120, 130, 140, Magic, Fenix, Mixer, Racer, Mixer EC, 33´, 34´, 39´, 909, 999, Max 1, Max 2, 680 DC, 880 DC, Maxim, Fenix Turbo, 800, 900, 1000, 1100, 38+, 1200, 1050 and 1300. Approximately 14,000 Maxi yachts have been produced.

Nimbus: Nimbus 26´, 30´, Nova 29´, Nova 33´, Nova 350 and Nova 420.

Crescent: Some 30 models from 1961 onwards.

Other designs: Kings Cruiser (Finland), Alfa (Norway), Vega Boats (Italy), Taylorboats (Spain), Essex Yachts (UK), Cleopatra (UK), Big-T, Exotic, Alu Queen, Maritim 26, Sea Cat, Pool Dinghy, GKSS jig, PP dinghy, 606, 806, C55, Swedish Match 40, etc.

Design categories: 6-M: x 23, 8-M: x 2 and 12-M: Sweden. Pelle Petterson's designs have won the 6-meter World Cup in 1977-2001 (except for 1991 and 1995).

Maxi 1300: Pelle Petterson's latest design, nominated "European Yacht of the year" 2006/07

Die Jolle c55

Mit der Jolle c55 definiert Pelle Petterson das Segeln neu. Die c55 ist in Schweden nationale Einheitsklasse. Es wird dort als Match Race-Regatta- und Ausbildungsboot verwendet.

Gebaut wird die Jolle bei der Werft Cremo Productions AB in Varberg (S). Die c55 hat einen Hubkiel und trägt ein 7/8-Rigg mit einem Alu-Mast. Das Vorsegel ist mit Segellatten ausgestattet, das Vordeck ist offen.

Maxi Yachts

Maxi Yachts is one of the foremost and most respected boat builders in Europe. The name Maxi has for decades, been synonymous with well-built boats which, due to their high quality, have ensured that the company has carved itself out a special reputation within the boat world.

Maxi Yachts manufactures yachts from 34 to 42 ft. and is designed by world champion and Olympic medallist Pelle Petterson.

Maxi 1060

Maxi 1300

Maxi SM 40