Trygve Halvorsen

Artist Info

Trygve Halvorsen1920 - 2014

Trygve Halvorsen (born 1920, Arendal, Norway) worked variously as a master boat builder, designer and consultant. Like his brothers before him Trygve became an apprentice to his father Lars at 14.

While working for Lars Halvorsen Sons Pty Ltd, Trygve ran the Neutral Bay yard until 1939. During WWII he worked at the Ryde boat yard and was in charge of production of the 38 footers designed by Harold Halvorsen as multipurpose vessels used by the Australian Army and Navy, US Army and Royal Netherlands Navy. After the war the Neutral Bay yard was re-opened with a staff of 50 for vessel repairs. In 1951 the Neutral Bay yard was sold to the RAAFand Trygve worked at Ryde and then Bobbin Head until 1964, when he retired.

At Bobbin Head Trygve became Director of Lars Halvorsen Sons Pty Ltd until he retired. He was also Chairman and chief designer of Halvorsen, Morsen and Gowland.

Trygve was an accomplished yacht designer and competitor in ocean races with his brother Magnus. As a teenager he raced an outboard power speed boat from the Royal Motor Yacht Club, Rose Bay and then harbour raced the yacht ENTERPRISE with his brothers Magnus and Bjarne. During WWII Trygve skippered in the Volunteer Coastal Patrol and was made a Special Constable in the Water Police.

In 1961 Trygve was invited by Sir Frank Packer to participate in the first Australian Challenge for the America's Cup held in 1962. He was responsible for towing and maintaining the yachts VIM and GRETEL and their tenders before and during the 1962 challenge. He was also one of GRETEL's three helmsmen, crew selector with Jock Sturrock and Arch Robertson, and also crewed in the first race of the challenge series.

Trygve helped to organise Australia's first challenge for the Admiral's Cup in the United Kingdom in 1965 and was selector and chair of the Admiral's Cup selection panel. He hosted overseas yachtsmen including former British Prime Minister, Sir Edward Heath.Trygve Halvorsen passed away in 2014.

Trygve's racing achievements include:

Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race

1946 2nd SAGA

1947 3rd PEER GYNT

1953/4 Line Honours(2nd on handicap) SOLVEIG

1955 1st SOLVEIG

1956 2nd ANITRA V

1957 1st ANITRA V

1958 & 1959 2nd ANITRA V

1960 1st NORLA

1963 - 1965 1st FREYA

He also crewed APOLLO, PORTIA, MELTEMI and ONDINE.