Admiral R Hari Kumar, Chief of the Naval Staff, presented Cdr Abhilash Tomy (retd), the first Indian to complete the Golden Globe Race (GGR) 2022, with a plaque on October 30, 23 in Goa, in honor of his historic accomplishment. Cdr. Tomy created history on April 29, 2023, when he finished second in GGR 22 and became the first Asian to cross the finish line. After setting sail on September 4, 2022, he sailed for 236 days, 14 hours, and 46 minutes to return to Les Sables-d’Olonne, France, trailing South African Kirsten Neuschafer.
Previously, aboard INSV Mhadei, Cdr Tomy made history in 2013 by becoming the first Indian to successfully finish a solo, non-stop round of the globe under sail. He also took part in GGR 18, but had to withdraw owing to a debilitating back injury sustained in a storm enroute.
Five years later, in GGR 22, he shown uncommon endurance, tenacity, and determination while overcoming five fused vertebrae and a titanium rod in his spine. Sir Robin Knox Johnston, the first sailor to finish the solo non-stop circumnavigation race in 1968, is honored by the GGR.
Sixteen competitors were scheduled to compete in GGR 22 and complete the circumnavigation event using gear and technology from before 1968. Three competitors, including Cdr. Tomy, were able to complete the race; the remaining competitors retired midway due to mishaps or technical issues.
Recently, Cdr Abhilash Tomy assumed the role of mentor and coach for the two female naval officers who are getting ready for their solo circumnavigation journey as part of the Indian Navy’s upcoming program Sagar Parikrama.’
