Commander (Dr.) Abhilash Tomy, KC, NM is a retired Indian naval officer and yachtsman. In 2013, he became the first Indian to complete a solo, non-stop circumnavigation of the world under sail, and he also competed in the 2018 Golden Globe Race.
Upon completing his schooling, Abhilash joined the Naval Academy in Goa, from where he was commissioned into the navy in the year 2000. He completed his flying training in 2002, qualifying as a maritime reconnaissance pilot.
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Abhilash retired from the Navy in 2021 by applying for premature retirement from service as he wanted to focus on participating in the Golden Globe Race in 2022.
On the personal front, Abhilash Tomy is married to Urmimala Nag. The couple have two sons – Vedaant and Abhraneil
Sailing Career
Prior to his solo circumnavigation of the globe, Abhilash had represented India in several international events including the 2011 Cape Town to Rio Race, the 2014 Spanish Copa del Rey race and two successive Korea Cups.
Based on his prior sailing experience and expertise, he was chosen to helm Sagar Parikrama 2, a non-stop, unassisted circumnavigation of the globe, under sail. To prepare for this role, in 2011, he and Cdr Dilip Donde, whom he had earlier assisted for a solo sail around the world, participated in the Cape Town to Rio Race. On the return leg, Abhilash sailed doubled handed from Rio to Cape Town and single handed from Cape Town to Goa. He also sailed to Malaysia and Thailand, with a team of three people.
On November 1, 2012, Abhilash and the INSV Mhadei – a specially constructed sailboat – departed from the Gateway of India at Mumbai. After completing a voyage of 23,100 nautical miles, he returned to Mumbai on March 31, 2013, having sailed around the Cape of Good Hope, Cape Horn and Cape Leeuwin. He became the first Indian, second Asian, and 79th person in the world to accomplish this feat. A ceremonial reception was given by the then President of India Shri Pranab Mukherjee at the Gateway of India on April 6, 2013.
Abhilash was a special invitee and the only Asian entrant in the 2018 edition of the solo non-stop round-the-world Golden Globe Race. After 82 days, while in 3rd position, his boat was damaged in a storm, and he suffered a severe injury to his spine. He was rescued after a multinational rescue effort.
After undergoing rehabilitation, Abhilash planned, trained, and prepared extensively for his participation in the Golden Globe Race 2022.
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