Istvan Kopar (62)
This Hungarian born professional yachtsman has already circumnavigated the globe twice - first singlehandedly, and then as a prize winner in the Hong Kong Challenge Round the World Race.
His first circumnavigation was made in a 31ft home-built yacht via the five southernmost capes in 1990/91, stopping once at Perth, Australia. He skippered the Tripp 55 Mol-Hungaria 1100 in the 1996 Hong Kong race and found himself rounding Cape Horn at the same time as Golden Globe Race founder Don McIntyre who was competing in the BOC Around Alone Race.
Koper, who holds a commercial master's ticket, is an instructor with US Sailing and has entered his Tradewind 35 production yacht Puffin.