In addition to being an experienced merchant mariner, skilled sailor and instructor, Istvan has achieved several “Blue water” accomplishments. He was the founder and captain of the fastest team and race boat in the Hong Kong Challenge Round the World sailboat race (1996-97). However, 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 authored the book –Challenge- the story of this one year long adventure and recorded it in a film, also. He has been working on its US edition/publishing after the successful European one.

In the business arena, Istvan (as second generation) has 30-plus years of professional experience as 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 April 2010..
Additionally, teaches at Sea School, Ft. Lauderdale and instructor trainer for US Sailing.

Istvan holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Science of Marine Transportation from the Technical University of Budapest, and a Science of Economics/Foreign Trade (College for Foreign Trade, at Budapest). He is USCG licensed commercial captain with several endorsements and US Sailing licensed instructor trainer. Istvan is world traveled (100-plus countries) fluent in English and his native Hungarian. He is married with two children and currently lives in Boca Raton, South Florida.

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Third generations in marine adventures.
Family Yacht, 1935 Lake Balaton, Hungary

Qualifications for Operations/Boating/Shipping

PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY

Innovative problem solver with a unique combination of leadership, analytical, creative and interpersonal skills. Hands-on, highly participative with the ability to operate effectively in a variety of business areas. Second-generation expert in shipping/boating.

AREAS OF EXPERTISE

• Commercial Shipping
• Leisure Boating
• Marina/Club Operation
• Boat Building & Service
• Foreign Trade
• International Relations
• Product & Service Marketing
• Crew Management/Training

Single-handedly performed one-stop circumnavigation from/to Gibraltar via the five Southernmost Capes commencing July 28, 1990 and finishing on May 14, 1991. The voyage was completed without touching land and without any form of outside aid apart from radio contact. He is the first Hungarian solo circumnavigator, the first one with one stop and achieved a world record for speed (as for the size of the boat).
In addition, also took part in Genoa and Seville Expo in 1992 and won second place in America 500 Columbus Race (first Hungarian in an Atlantic-crossing race).
In 1993, he crossed the Atlantic Ocean solo, again covering the leg between Miami-Horta /Azores (3,000 NM) within 20 days, only (31’ sloop).
During his longest boat delivery- in 1995- he sailed solo the US “Sealestial” from Durban (S.Africa) to Savannah (Georgia) – passed Cape of Good Hope Westbound - within 65 days with one stop. He won the “Kapry’s Trophy” in the ARC ’95 (Atlantic Crossing Rally) in the same year.
1996-97, in the Hong Kong Challenge Round the World Race he won the Sir Edward Heath Trophy and the Financial Times Clipper Trophy as the fastest circumnavigator. He is the first and to present the only Hungarian sailor who organized/captained Hungarian syndicate/team in a Round the World Race and won one.

Service-yard manager -Boat and ship repair, maintenance, marina/boat yard operation, recovery, delivery. Controlling and supervising the service/yard operation of the largest vessel recovery company in the US.

Instructor trainer-instructor -sail boat instructor trainer and powerboat instructor at US Sailing and instructor at Sea School (Ocean and Coastwise Educational)

Derecktor-Gunnell Inc.Dania, FL. 1998-2000

Rigger-skipper marina & boat yard operation, hauling/launching, tug boat & crane operation, sailboat service, repair and building.

Managing Director -Skipper-Delivery Captain
Boat delivery, boat charter, offshore racing, boat care, instruction.

Managing Director-Captain
Responsible for fund raising, PR-media work, operation on board during one year long Round the World Race as skipper of 14 crew, media-sponsor follow-up (film making).

Managing Director -Responsible for start-up operation, managing complete marina service, sailing school, charter fleet, boat building/repair, supervision of a staff of seven.

click on images for larger view My very first students, Lake Balaton 1984

Harbor Master –Responsible for supervision of technical staff and a new product management.

Third mate, Wireless operator, Purser-responsible for operation on-board ship, deckhand operations, navigation & communication, management of ship and crew supplies.

ACADEMIC CREDENTIALS

• Bachelor of Science Maritime Studies
• Bachelor of Science Economics/Foreign Trade
• Budapest Technical University, Budapest Hungary
  Nautical College at Faculty of Transportation Engineering
• College for Foreign Trade, Budapest Hungary

• USCG Master License-200 US/500 INT Ton with Endorsements for Sailing, Commercial towing, Unlimited Radar, Marine Radio Operator, AB Unlimited, Crew Synergy
• STCW, TWIC, MMD & CPR/Firt Aid
• Radiotelegraph Operator’s International Certificate
• US Sailing Instructor Trainer, Powerboat & Keelboat Instructor
• University for Physical Education Sports Coach’s
  Special Qualification for Sailing

ADDITIONAL PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES

• Vice President of Hungarian Boat Industry Association 1991-94
• Honorary life member of Hungarian Yachting Association 1991-
• Member of Hungarian Super Sport Club 1991-
• Nominee for the Blue Water Medal of Cruising Club of America in 1994
• Honorary Member of British Chamber of Commerce in Hungary 1998
• Honored Citizen of town Balatonalmadi 1998
• Member of Madison Who’s Who 2007

ADDITIONAL PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES

    In 1990 he was received by the Lady Premier of Western Australia during his first circumnavigation (during the only stop, Perth).

    On August 3rd, 1992-500th Anniversary of Columbus’s departure day- the Spanish King-His Majesty Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia gave a private audience for him.

    In Washington, Carla Hills Trade Representative on behalf of President George Bush received him on January 7th, 1993.

    In 1997, he was awarded the Sir Edward Heath Trophy for the fastest elapsed time circumnavigation and received the trophy from Sir Edward.

    Additionally, the Hungarian President Arpad Goncz donated The Order of Merit of the Hungarian Republic Middle Cross (the highest civilian medal) to Istvan Kopar for his professional achievements.

PERSONAL

Fluent in Hungarian/English. USA Citizen, married with two children.

 

PICTURES OF UNIQUE ACHIEVEMENTS

• Single-handedly achieved world record one-stop circumnavigation from/to Gibraltar via the five Southernmost Capes (7/90-5/91)

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My very first love: The solo circumnavigator, Salammbo	In the middle of the Indian Ocean in 1990, also as the cover of my book Challenge.
With the King and the Queen of Spain, August 3, 1992	Washington, January 7th, 1993

• 2nd place in America 500 Columbus race (8/92-12/92)

• Solo delivery from Miami to Genoa (6/93-9/93)
• Solo delivery from Durban to Savannah (2/95-4/95

• ARC ’95 Atlantic–Crossing Rally Kapry’s Trophy (10/95–12/95)
• Fastest Circumnavigator in Hong Kong Challenge (10/96-9/97)

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Hungaria 1100 Racing on the Pacific Ocean March 1997
	Fukuoka, Japan Right after the finish.
Canarian Islands, November 1996.