Istvan Kopar Email & Phone Number

In addition to being an experienced merchant mariner, sailor, and instructor, Istvan has achieved several blue water accomplishments. He was the founder/captain of the fastest team and racing yacht in the Hong Kong Challenge Round the World Race (1996-97). His greatest personal and professional challenge was his one-stop, solo circumnavigation via the five southernmost capes, without any outside aid, in 1990-91. He chronicled his one-year adventure in the book Kihivas ("Challenge"), as well as a film. Istvan recently published a sequel, and the first English edition of the original Kihivas.In the business arena, Istvan has 30+ years of professional experience as a naval officer, marina-charter operator, sailing racer, and instructor. He ran his own marina/charter operation and sailing school in Europe. He was one of the operational managers of the biggest vessel recovery company in the USA, from 2000 to 2010. He also teaches at Sea School, Ft. Lauderdale, and is an instructor trainer for US Sailing.In 2015, Istvan was accepted as a provisional entrant in the 2018 Golden Globe Race. This solo, nonstop endeavor will recreate the journey of the first nonstop solo circumnavigation in 1968. Entrants are restricted to using only equipment comparable to that used in 1968.In 2019, he completed his third circumnavigation, second solo circumnavigation, and first nonstop solo circumnavigation. Finished in 4th place after 263 days at sea and one of only 5 sailors to complete the grueling race, which started with 18 skippers.There are 10 sailors, only in the world who circumnavigated the Globe solo, nonstop and with celestial navigation and he is the lucky one to be among them.Istvan holds a B.S. in Marine Transportation from the Technical University of Budapest, as well as a B.S. in Economics/Foreign Trade from the College for Foreign Trade at Budapest. He is a USCG-licensed commercial captain with several endorsements. Istvan is world-traveled (100+ countries) and fluent in both English and Hungarian. He is married with two adult children and currently lives in Boca Raton, South Florida.See: www.koparsailing.com

Listed skills include Sailing, Boat, Boating, Maritime, and 40 others.