Indian sailor Captain Abhilash Tomy (retired) will complete the Golden Globe Race (GGR) on Saturday, 236 days after setting sail on September 4, 2022, of the most risky and maddening endeavors. He will finish off the race as the second winner after South African sailor South African sailor Kirsten Neuschafer.
Commander Tomy, who is also the recipient of the Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award, announced his participation in GGR 2022 on March 22, 2022, five years after suffering a serious back injury that could be life threatening at the same event.
During GGR 2018, Commander Tomy’s yacht was dismantled and he suffered a back injury that left him stranded in the southern Indian Ocean for 83 days. He was rescued after a complex international effort and had surgery in India where titanium rods were inserted into his spine and all five vertebrae were fused into one.
Despite this traumatic experience, Commander Tomy has not given up on his passion for sailing and has decided to participate in GGR 2022. He sailed on an indigenous sailing boat called the “Bayanat” and communicated with Race Control in France via messages. Delivered to JRCC Australia. His determination and resilience are commendable and his successful completion of GGR 2022 is a testament to his adventurous spirit and love of sailing.
