Abhilash Tomy’s Golden Globe Race triumph: A tale of endurance

Abhilash Tomy, a 44-year-old veteran of the Indian navy, completed a circumnavigation in the Golden Globe Race, a retro-themed sailing competition. Tomy sailed all three navigable oceans on a boat called Bayanat with 1968 vintage technology. He completed the GGR in 236 days, 14 hours, 46 minutes, and 34 seconds on April 29th. Tomy made his own history by returning to the race after a torrid accident in the 2018 edition when he was rescued after 70 hours. He stayed afloat despite needing a plethora of repairs to his boat. Perhaps the biggest challenge of the race was not knowing where fellow competitors were, unless a ship passing by alerts you to relative positions. The 2022 race was delayed by two months from the 2018 start to ensure it’s less stormy.
Abhilash is known to be one of the best celestial navigators, he rode into a storm with 5 metre high waves – that’s like two building floors high. For this last week, Abhilash engaged in a navigational duel with South African Kirsten Neuschafer to reach the finish line, the port of Les Sables d’Olonne. The only woman in the race, Neuschafer has made history, finishing first. Not only did she grab the lead, she was also rewarded a 23 hour differential advantage after she rescued fellow competitor, a sinking Tapio Lehtinen.
Abhilash was armed with books, clothes, and easy-to-mix food, he drank rainwater and battled unsteady sleeping patterns. His journey was a battle and an act of love with nature.