‘I’m a much better sailor now’: Abhilash Tomy after achieving second place in gruelling global race

Champion sailor Commander Abhilash Tomy on Saturday accomplished a rare feat that pushed the limits of his endurance with a second-place finish in the challenging solo, non-stop circumnavigation race, 2022 Golden Globe Race, after sailing in seas for 236 days. The race was a huge learning experience, and I am a much better sailor now,” Tomy told HT over phone from Les Sables-d’Olonne in France soon after completing the 30,000-mile race. “I weighed 92kg when the race began, but I am now down to 70kg.” Tomy had set off from Les Sables-d’Olonne on September 4, 2022, with 15 other competitors. Naval historian Commodore Srikant Kesnur described Tomy’s podium finish as “India’s greatest sporting achievement”. “Where many other champion sailors gave up, Tomy’s DIY skills, his innovation and jugaad at sea helped him stay the course.” Tomy became the first Indian to circumnavigate the globe on board his boat “Mhadei” — solo, non-stop and unassisted in 2013.