Carl Hellström started his professional career as a clerk spending various periods in England for studies and internships. He later became a merchant and wholesaler. From 1908 he was director of the company Hellström & Vlengel, a timber merchant, established by his father in 1878. In 1891, Hellström married Antonie “Antina” Carolina Wilhelmina Hinze and became the father of two sons and two daughters. His daughter Hattie later married Erik Waller.
Hellström was the helmsman of the Swedish boat Vinga, winning silver in the 8-metre class at the 1908 Olympic Games, Sweden’s first ever medal in this sport. The yacht was owned by Göteborg‘s Royal Yacht Club. Four years later, he helped Sweden to win the first gold medal in sailing. He was the helmsman of the Swedish yacht Kitty, which easily won both races in the 10-metre class at the 1912 Olympic Games. Owner of the Kitty was banker and stockbroker Nils Erik Wilhelm Asp (1881-1950). The boat was built one year earlier in Turku for the Finnish sailor and boat designer Gustav Estlander. After a changeful history during which she was also used as a summer cottage, the Kitty was renovated and launched in 2000. Carl Hellström was also an honorary member of the Styrsö racing sailing society located on an island just off Göteborg [Gothenburg]).
Sweden