Niké Drops Anchor in Lower Area of Vítkovice

Niké Drops Anchor in Lower Area of Vítkovice The world-famous seafarer Richard Konkolski was the first Czechoslovak to sail around the world, and his Niké is the second smallest vessel in history to have circumnavigated the globe. Mr Konkolski was born in Bohumín and studied at a secondary school of civil engineering. He has always played various sports, but most of all he has enjoyed yachting, canoeing, and skiing. He has taken part in numerous sailing races. He now lives in Dolní Lutyně, a municipality in the Moravian-Silesian Region. He says, “I still have many plans for the future and hope for good health which will help me make them come true.” Mr Konkolski, your life is rich enough to write a book about, not just an interview. 54 ǀ POSITIV 1/2020 Which of your achievements is the dearest to you? To tell you the truth, the most amazing aspect of my life is that my marriage has lasted for 57 years, definitely thanks to my wonderful wife. Each of my achievements has its distinguished value. Speaking of sports, I really appreciate my twelve world records and four Yachtsman of the Year awards in three countries. Other accolades include awards from the Senate of Rhode Island, the US state, and from the Senate of the Czech Republic. What I find extremely amusing is that, as a Czechoslovak, I was awarded by the American president Ronald Reagan, and as an American by the Czech President Miloš Zeman. Are you a “globetrotting” Czech or American? Or both? Everybody can explain the word “globetrotter” in a slightly different way. I do not feel that I am one. I was originally interested in representing international sports for my birth country and sporting achievements. My first target was a solo race across the Atlantic, OSTAR 72, after which I also took part in the race in 1976 and 1980. That was purely a sports representation job.