Istvan Kopar, Westbound Solo Around the World

Istvan Kopar took 4th place in the 2018 Golden Globe Race - and was one of only five finishers. Next year on the 250th anniversary of the United States of America, he will be attempting to be the first person to sail from the USA solo nonstop westbound around the world via the three great capes and he will be doing it at the same time as the GGR 2026 boats will be going the other way around the world.

We talk about his ambitions, his new boat - a Valiant 42, preparing for the westbound circumnavigation, his book Kihivas, his first circumnavigation with one stop on his boat Salammbô, the 2018 GGR, emergency tillers, navigation, heavy weather sailing techniques - heaving to, solo sailing, drogues, favorite land sightings, sharks, orcas, other wildlife, and more.

Photos and links are on the shownotes page

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