Returning to the scene of the crime

Before the fleet was deep in the Indian Ocean, attrition had already hit the 2018-19 Golden Globe, a solo non-stop race around the world that restricted the 17 entrants to the same type of yachts and equipment that were available in 1968-69 for the first race.

But on day 83, the drama rose to a new level when a vicious storm between Australia and South Africa delivered 70 knot winds and 14m seas which dismasted India’s Abhilash Tomy and Ireland’s Gregor McGuckin dismasted

While McGuckin was okay, the 39-year old Tomy, a Commander in the Indian Navy making his second solo circumnavigation, was injured. Trapped below, he turned on his EPIRB on and sent a short text message to race control: ROLLED. DISMASTED. SEVERE BACK INJURY. CANNOT GET UP.

Then all communication was lost.

Abhilash was running third in the race but now his disabled 32-foot yacht was as far from rescue as anyone could be. However, three and a half days later, a French Government fisheries patrol vessel OSIRIS arrived at the scene, and in difficult conditions was able to recover Abhilash in a stretcher.

He was later transferred to an Indian Navy vessel sent to recover him, was initially treated on Ile de Amsterdam, the French administered island in the southern Indian Ocean, and then was transported to India where titanium rods were inserted in his spine and five vertebrae were fused into one.

“My legs were so badly off that I had to learn to walk again,” said Abhilash “But I did learn to walk, and then got into a cockpit and got back to Navy flying, and sailing! Now three and a half years later, I am heading back into the same race.”

Abhilash will compete in the 2022 Golden Globe Race, having purchased a Rustler 36, the same type of boat used by Jean-Luc Van Den Heede when the 73-year old French veteran of six solo circumnavigations won the 2018-19 edition in an elapsed time of 212d 5h 10m 0s.

The 2022-23 race now has 23 entrants from 13 countries.

Event details – Entry list – Facebook

About the 2022 Golden Globe Race
On September 4, 2022, the third edition of the Golden Globe Race will start from Les Sables d’Olonne, France. Twenty-three sailors from 13 countries will face eight months of isolation sailing 30,000 miles across five oceans solo non-stop and unassisted.

In 1968, while man was preparing to take his first steps on the moon, a mild mannered and modest young man was setting out on his own record breaking voyage of discovery. He had entered the original Golden Globe. Nine men started that first solo non-stop sailing race around the World. Only one finished. He was 29 year old Sir Robin Knox Johnston. History was made. Navigating only with a sextant, paper charts and an accurate and reliable time piece, Sir Robin navigated around the world.

In 2018, to celebrate 50 years since that first record breaking achievement, the Golden Globe Race was resurrected. It instantly gained traction with adventurers, captivated by the spirit and opportunity. Eighteen started with five finishers. To embrace the original race, boat types were restricted and sailors used only sextants, paper charts, wind up clocks, and cassette tapes for music.

Source: GGR