After OSTAR 72 I continued my solo

circumnavigation around the world, which

took me three years. Niké was then the

second smallest vessel to complete such

a journey, and it was a significant sports

success, too. More navigation followed, e.g.

sailing with kids around the Baltic sea, the

team race from England to West Australia

(Parmelia Race 1979), and two solo races

circumnavigating the world, BOC Challenge

1982-83 and BOC Challenge 1986-87. Sport

representation again. In one of the races

I won two legs of the race and set five world

records. Many more such events followed,

each of them different and specific in their

very own way.

I decided to stay in the USA with my family

because, after a two-year preparation for

my first solo race around the world, I did

not get the permit to participate, and left for

the race anyway. I won two legs of the race,

placed third, set five world records and was

sentenced to eleven years in a Czech prison.

There was no use coming back home. Yet

I started another race as a Czech again.

The new legislation after the “Velvet Revolution” revoked my citizenship, which I got

back only in early 2015. That is why I now

have dual citizenship, and my family and

I owe the USA for granting us protection

and conditions to work and live in those times when our homeland disowned us.

You come from Bohumín. How do you see

our region and its future?

I have always been proud of my birthplace

and region because it has always been

home to painstaking busy people who often

showed me understanding, respect, and

support. When I lived there, the region was

the most important and powerful region

of our republic. Unfortunately, it dropped

to the bottom in the shake-up following

the Velvet Revolution, and is slowly yet

surely rising thanks to the diligence of local

people. I am absolutely convinced that

it will again become the leading region

because the local population is not afraid

of fair work, no matter how hard.

Niké is in Vítkovice. The U6 Science and

Technology Centre (Malý Svět Techniky

U6) in the Lower Area of Vítkovice is the

new port for the famous boat Niké. Why

did you choose this place, and what else

does the exhibition offer?

Niké was born in this region and this is

where she belongs. Unfortunately, its

destiny takes her to the National Technical

Museum (Národní technické museum)

in Prague. The Lower Area of Vítkovice

is only a temporary stop. The exhibition

introduces the youth to my Niké as well

as its sports achievements and career, it

allows them to learn more about the world,

try out setting the sail or flying our state

flag, and get inspired to make their own

dreams and wishes come true.

Are you preparing a programme, lectures,

or photo exhibition to promote the

exhibit?

The exhibition will include interactive

videos and presentations. I am hoping to

hold meetings and lectures at schools and

with the general public. The exhibition will

open on March 10, 2020, and I sincerely

and cordially invite you to come and see it.

Thank you for the interview.

-editorialPOSITIV 1/2020 ǀ 55