May 1st, 2023: By placing second in the race, Abhilash made history. You can find out all about the amazing victory here!
The Golden Globe Race (GGR), a solo round-the-world sailing competition, started in Les Sables-d'Olonne, France, on September 4, 2022.
In the race in Les Sables d’Olonne, France, retired naval officer Commander Abhilash Tomy finished second to South African sailor Kirsten Neuschafer. Tomy creates history by being the first Indian to complete the prestigious Golden Globe Race.
He had bought a Rustler 36 sailboat and given it the name "Bayanat" in France. Sailor Philippe Péché had previously used it for the race in the most recent Golden Globe.
On March 22, 2022, the former naval captain and Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award winner declared his participation in the 2022 Golden Globe Race to be one of the riskiest and wildest activities.
Tomy told the crowd that he was fatigued and was looking forward to taking three days off after spending 236 days by himself at sea.
After completing the race, he made his way back to the renowned Les Sables d'Olonne channel, where he had begun the race, to finish all the necessary formalities and enjoy a magnificent welcome on its coast.
Tomy had also competed in the 50th anniversary Golden Globe, which began at Les Sables d'Olonne, France, on July 1, 2018, but he was involved in an accident while finishing third that year.
He successfully spent 82 days on the open seas before his boat was damaged in a storm, which resulted in a serious spinal injury for him.
After extensive international efforts, the naval commander was saved. After suffering serious injuries during the prestigious Golden Globe circumnavigation competition, Tomy was praised for his courage and perseverance.
The sailor claimed that he had informed his crew in advance that he would place second in the race before the event had begun.
Nevertheless, he had been lucky this time to finish the race in second place.
Navy Chief Admiral R Hari Kumar and Indian Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal V R Chaudhari congratulated Tomy for his achievement.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan also congratulated Tomy for his outstanding performance, saying he has made the country and the state proud.
