Indian sailor Abhilash Tomy was an entrant in the 50th Anniversary edition of the Golden Globe, a solo non-stop race around the world which started from Les Sables d’Olonne France on July 1st 2018. He was rescued after 83 days at sea following a complex international effort involving fellow contestant, Irishman Gregor McGuckin.

The winner of the first 1968 Sunday Times Golden Globe was Englishman Sir Robin Knox Johnston sailing a 32ft timber yacht built in India named SUHAILI. He became the first person ever to solo circumnavigate the globe non-stop after 312 days. Abhilash was sailing an exact replica of Suhail, named “THURIYA” also built in India.

Abhilash, a Navy commander who had previously sailed solo non-stop around the world was running third in the race when an extreme storm deep in the Southern Indian Ocean rolled and dismasted his yacht, severely injuring his back and unable to move his legs. Trapped below, he sent a short text message to race control and turned his EPIRB on. Then all communication was lost.

Half way between Australia and South Africa, the disabled yacht was as far from rescue as anyone could be. Three and a half days later, a French Government fisheries patrol vessel OSIRIS arrived at the scene. In difficult conditions the crew were able to recover Abhilash in a stretcher. He was later transferred to an Indian Navy vessel sent to recover him and two days after arriving in India titanium rods were inserted in his spine and 5 vertebrae were fused into one.

Indian sailor Abhilash Tomy and Sir Robin Knox Johnston onboard "THURIYA", replica of Suhaili. Photo Credit: GGR2018

“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.”

Today at the Dubai Expo 2020, Abhilash announced his sponsor Bayanat and official entry in the 2022 Golden Globe Race. Bayanat, a G42 company specializing in AI-powered geospatial intelligence, confirmed its sponsorship. “Abhilash will sail in a UAE-registered sailboat aptly named ‘Bayanat’ which will race under the number 71, the year in which the UAE was formed,” their statement said.

The company said that during the race Abhilash would aid in ongoing scientific work, “including the collection of water samples which can be analysed for up to date insight on the presence of microplastics in the world’s oceans”.

In addition, a small section of the yacht will be painted with a special coating which will serve as a reflectance target for satellites, “representing a one-of-a-kind opportunity to collect calibrated data during the race”. This is in keeping with Bayanat’s business, which “provides comprehensive world-class geospatial AI solutions to a growing number of sectors such as defence, environment, energy and resources, smart cities and transportation.”

“WE are all very excited to see Abhilash back in the Golden Globe”. Said Don McIntyre GGR Founder. “He is such a powerful sailor with a huge smile. To see his beautiful yacht destroyed in the last edition was a real shock. He has a huge following around the world so his fans will be celebrating too and it’s clear he has some unfinished business!”

Abhilash Tomy (R) and Hasan Al Hosani, CEO of Bayanat at Expo 2020 Dubai on Tuesday. Image Credit: Angel Tesorero/Gulf News

Abhilash has purchased a Rustler 36 in France, and named it "BAYANAT" previously raced in the last Golden Globe by Philippe Péché with PRB sponsorship. He has just five months to complete a full refit and sail a 2000 miles solo voyage to qualify for the GGR. He is the last entrant to join this incredible Human adventure that is unlike any other event in the world. This brings the total fleet to 23 sailors from 13 countries.

Abhilash has purchased a Rustler 36 in France, and named it "BAYANAT" previously raced in the last Golden Globe by Philippe Péché with PRB sponsorship. Photo Credit: GGR2018

#HYC - Gregor McGuckin will be bringing his lecture on his experiences in the golden jubilee Golden Globe race to Howth Yacht Club this coming Thursday 28 March.

Last month McGuckin talked Poolbeg Yacht & Boat Club members through the eventful solo offshore race that became even more so when both he and fellow competitor Abhilash Tony were caught up in a violent Southern Ocean storm.

Both vessels were rolled and lost their masts, and Tomy was left seriously injured in his boat.

As rescuers made their way to Tomy’s position, McGuckin abandoned his race to join in the effort — no mean feat with a jury-rigged mast and a boat using 1960s-era technology.

From 8pm this Thursday evening, Howth Yacht Club members (non-members are also welcome) will hear the whole story from McGuckin himself, from the rescue drama to the fate of McGuckin’s own abandoned yacht.

Golden Globe Race solo sailor Abhilash Tomy has been rescued after his yacht dismasted in a violent Southern Ocean Storm on Friday (21 September).

French fisheries patrol vessel Osiris reached Tomy’s yacht Thuriya at 05:30 UTC today (Monday 24 September) in favourable conditions, with 15-20 knots from the south-west, two-metre swells and good visibility.

After liaising with a doctor, the French crew boarded Thuriya to administer immediate first-aid and assess his condition.

Tomy (39), a commander in the Indian navy, has been confined to his bunk and unable to move since his yacht was rolled through 360° and dismasted in a vicious storm last Friday. It’s understood that he has sustained a serious back injury.

Fellow Golden Globe skipper Gregor McGuckin, whose yacht Hanley Energy Endurance was also dismasted in the same storm last week, was making 2.2 knots towards Thuriya’s position as of this morning, sailing under jury rig, as previously reported on Afloat.ie.

The 32-year old Irishman is still 25 miles to the west and in radio contact with the reconnaissance aircraft. He is not in distress but has asked for a controlled evacuation from his yacht — a decision described by Golden Globe Race officials as “responsible”.

Once the two solo yachtsmen are safely aboard the Osiris, the French fisheries patrol ship will proceed to Amsterdam Island, where the rescued sailors will be given a full medical examination.