Indian Naval Officer Ready To Conquer "Golden Globe Race"

Naval officer Commander Abhilash Tomy, the only Indian to sail around the world non-stop and solo,is ready for his second solo circumnavigation.

He will sail the boat 'Thuriya' around the world in historic 'Golden Globe Race' which will be flagged off from Les Sables d'Olonne, France on July 1.

A total of 18 sailors will be starting the race. Commander Tomy is a special invitee at this race, according  to a Navy release in Visakhapatnam today.

The race is being held to commemorate 50 years of Sir Robin Knox-Johnston successfully completing the solo, unassisted and non-stop circumnavigation in 312 days.

Competitors in this race will sailing conditions similar to 1968, without modern navigation aids.

The challenge is pure and raw. It is for "those who dare", just as it was for Sir Johnston. Navigation is with sextant on paper charts, without GPS or other electronic instruments or autopilots; not even pocket calculators.

Participants will write their logs and determine the weather for themselves. Only occasionally will they talk to loved ones and the outside world, when ham radios allow, the release added.