July 6, 1943, Bohumín
Czech sailor and winner of many ocean races. He’s exceptional for having sailed around the world solo three times on his boat Niké.
Residence: Dolní Lutyně
- He became the first Czechoslovak to circumnavigate the globe, and his boat Niké I. was the second smallest vessel. He built Niké in the basement of an apartment block in Bohumín.
- The sailboat Niké is 742 centimeters long, with a maximum width of 231 centimeters and weighs 1.7 tons.
- “Today, it wouldn’t even pass as a lifeboat,” said Konkolski.
- In June 1972, he started a solo transatlantic race and, from Newport, USA, continued his solo voyage around the world. He covered 41,000 nautical miles and finished after 342 days in July 1973.
- He extended his journey by stopping at 79 ports worldwide. Thanks to his voyage, many ports saw the Czechoslovak flag for the first time.
- In 1982, he completed his second solo world race — BOC Challenge 1982 — finishing 5th out of 5 competitors in his class.
- After emigrating, he circumnavigated the world two more times.
- He participated in four more ocean races.
- He spent a total of five years at sea, covering a distance equivalent to more than ten times the Earth’s circumference.
- His Niké I. is now an exhibit in the National Technical Museum in Prague.
- In 2013, he was awarded the Medal for Merit in Sports by President Miloš Zeman.
- He received the Silver Commemorative Medal for his achievements, lifelong contribution to Czech sport, and national representation.
- He is the author of several books, films, and TV documentaries.