Abhilash Tomy In Golden Globe Race

Abhilash Tomy In Golden Globe Race

This Sunday (1st July 2018), Indian Naval Officer Cdr. Abhilash Tomy will set sail to take a long weekend break on the sea – in his own words, a 311-day break. Surprised? Read on!

As the only Indian solo, non-stop, circumnavigator of the globe in a sailboat, he was invited by the Golden Globe Race organisers to participate in the 50th Anniversary Golden Globe Race (GGR) that commemorates the first (and last) such race that was held in 1968. That race saw Sir Robin Knox-Johnston’s successfully completing the voyage in 312 days, to become the first human to finish solo, unassisted, and non-stop circumnavigation of the world.

GGR and its Unique Challenges

While Abhilash has already achieved this feat once in 2012-13 (Read ‘Abhilash Tomy – The Life of Another Pi’ for the story of that circumnavigation), the biggest challenge this time is to sail with equipment, tools, and boat that resemble the ones used by Sir Johnston, despite the availability of modern technology. Navigation will have to be done using sextants and looking at celestial objects using physical maps. Communication with the outside world will also be limited as the lone satellite phone is for use in medical emergency alone.

Another challenge is a relatively-longer distance. While his earlier circumnavigation began from Mumbai, the distance he covered was approx.40,000km (24,855 miles). This time, the circumnavigation will begin from Les Sables d’Olonne in France and this location is much farther North compared to Mumbai. Hence, he’ll be covering a distance of approx.48,280km (30,000 miles). To know more about GGR, click HERE.

While on the subject of challenges, yet another one is the size of the boat. His earlier feat was achieved in ‘Mhadei’ – a 56 feet sloop that had a displacement of 23 tons. This time, he has chosen to sail in the ‘Thuriya’ – a 32.8 feet Bermudan Ketch that has a lot lesser displacement of just 8.85 tons.

But then, Abhilash is not the types to get fazed by such trifling challenges. Come 1st July 2018, and he will be sailing out to achieve this demanding feat.

Some Interesting Facts about Abhilash’s Second Circumnavigation Attempt

1. As against 151 days taken for his earlier journey, this journey will be a lot longer. Abhilash plans on completing it in 311 days (a day lesser than Sir Johnston’s epic journey of 312 days).
2. Abhilash is one of GGR’s 5 special invitees who would set sail for the race on 1st July 2018
3. A total of 18 skippers will be at the start line on for the July 1 flag off
4. Both – Mhadei as well as Thuriya – have been built at Ratnakar Dandekar’s Aquarius Shipyard.

   

5. Interestingly, Sir Johnston’s boat ‘Suhaili’ was also built in India (Colaba, Mumbai)
6. At the Sagarparikrama (the first circumnavigation), Abhilash had used GPS-based maps and other satellite-based technologies. But at GGR, he will have to make do with a compass, printed maps, and star and planetary movements. He will have a solitary HF radio set for contact. No digital device (the ones invented after 1968) is allowed to be carried by the race participants
7. The size of the boat limits the possibility to carry water. Sir Robin had harvested rainwater and used it. Abhilash will be doing the same, as there is no help from the outside world throughout the race
8. Abhilash’s mentor and his Navy senior – Cdr (Retd) Dilip Donde – is supporting him and will be overseeing Abhilash’s effort as the base manager. Incidentally, Cdr (Retd) Donde was the first Indian to circumnavigate the world with stops.

   

A quick look at the supplies Abhilash will carry for this expedition

• Almost 1000 meals, including MTR, freeze-dry and tinned food
• 13 sails
• Two sextants
• Two taffrail logs (no, it isn’t a log-book, but is a mechanical speed logging device, used like a car odometer)
• Two automatic watches
• Three trackers
• Two satellite phones
• A lot of charts
• A lot of books
• An MF direction finder (this Maza Faka is necessary since there’s no one out there to help you with directions)
• Two Shortwave radio sets
• A lot of communication equipment
• Four 10 kg gas cylinders
• A lot of spares for the engine
• About 300 litres of water
• About 140 litres of fuel

My Best Wishes to the Most Awesome Adventure Traveller I Know

Ever since I received a Nat-Geo Traveller invite in October 2012 to take a spin off Mumbai coast with Skipper Abhilash Tomy in Mhadei days before he sailed out for his first circumnavigation, we became friends. He’s a humble guy with not-so-humble feats. A winner of Kirti Chakra, Mac Gregor Medal, Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award, and many more, he has an unquenchable thirst for adventure (Read about it HERE). Through this post, I wish him well for GGR and hope to see him back sooner than his stated 311-days!

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