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Athletes & Explorers

Indian Sailor Abhilash Tomy Rescued After Severe Injury During Solo Around The World Golden Globe Race

Abhilash Tomy, the first Indian to circumnavigate the globe solo, has been rescued by a French fishing vessel after his yacht dismasted in severe storms, leaving him badly injured.

Indian Sailor Abhilash Tomy Rescued After Severe Injury During Solo Around The World Golden Globe Race

A severe storm in the Indian Ocean has affected several participants in the Golden Globe Race. 14-meter high waves destroyed the mast of Abhilash Tomy’s yacht, Thuriya, and left him immobilized with severe injuries.

Rescue efforts commenced on Saturday when Tomy sent out satellite text messages, “Can’t walk. Might need stretcher.” As well as, “Can move toes. Feel numb. Can’t eat or drink. Tough 2 reach grab bag.”

A multi-national rescue mission was coordinated, including rescue efforts from Australia, India, and France. The French fishing vessel, Osiris, reached Tomy first, approximately 3,300km from Perth, Australia. “He is conscious and safe. Rescue efforts were delayed because of 8-to-10-meter-high waves and heavy winds,” a spokesperson for the Indian Navy said. Tomy was rescued from his yacht on a stretcher, and is now being transferred to Mauritius, where he will receive further medical attention.

The Golden Globe Race is a non-stop, around-the-world, sailing race, where competitors are limited to sailing without modern technology or satellite navigation aids. The race started on July 1st, 2018, and is expected to take the winning yacht around 260 days to complete.

PPL Photo Agency - Copyright free for editorial use only. Photo Credit: Christophe Favreau/PPL/GGR ***2018 Golden Globe Race. Commander Abhilash Tomy his Suhaili replica yacht THURIYA , photographed off Lanzarote, Canaries during the compulsory film drop off Marina Rubicon on 16th June 2018. The yacht was rolled and dismasted in the South Indian Ocean (1,900 miles SW of Perth, Australia) on 21st September and a full rescue organised by the Australian Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre in Canberra to repatriate the inured solo sailor.

In 2013, Abhilash Tomy became the first Indian to circumnavigate the globe solo. His name appears on the Joshua Slocum Society International, a list honoring long-distance sailors for impressive solo sea voyages.

Tomy is one of 18 competitors who entered the 2018 Golden Globe Race. He was sitting in 3rd place before the storm hit and rolled his yacht 360 degrees, dismantling the mast and leaving him injured.

Photo Credit: Christophe Favreau/PPL/GGR ***2018 Golden Globe Race. Commander Abhilash Tomy his Suhaili replica yacht THURIYA , photographed off Lanzarote, Canaries during the compulsory film drop off Marina Rubicon on 16th June 2018. The yacht was rolled and dismasted in the South Indian Ocean (1,900 miles SW of Perth, Australia) on 21st September and a full rescue organised by the Australian Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre in Canberra to repatriate the inured solo sailor.

Read more about Abhilash Tomy here:
https://www.outdoorjournal.com/focus-2/indian-sails-across-world-alone-enters-the-record-books/

Cover photo: PPL Photo Agency - Copyright free for editorial use only
Photo Credit: Christophe Favreau/PPL/GGR
***2018 Golden Globe Race. Commander Abhilash Tomy his Suhaili replica yacht THURIYA , photographed off Lanzarote, Canaries during the compulsory film drop off Marina Rubicon on 16th June 2018.
The yacht was rolled and dismasted in the South Indian Ocean (1,900 miles SW of Perth, Australia) on 21st September and a full rescue organised by the Australian Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre in Canberra to repatriate the inured solo sailor.

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