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| Edited By: Pooja Bhula |Source: DNA |Updated: Jun 05, 2018, 12:48 PM IST
All smiles despite an exhausting day – having been busy with meetings immediately after landing in Mumbai after a three-day work trip – 38-year-old Cdr Abhilash Tomy surely looked more beefed up than the last time we met, four years ago. Then in 2013, he had just returned after 151 days at sea to become the first Indian to circumnavigate the globe, solo, non-stop and unassisted. Ever since, the naval officer, who works at the Watermanship Training Centre in Colaba, has been prolific with telling his story on different platforms, writing two books, participating in international keel boat races, nailing national championships and judging sailing events. But the Golden Globe Race (GGR) 2018, for which he received an invitation, is rather special. Not only because he has been wanting a second time around the world, but also because GGR's second edition is happening after a hiatus of 50 years. The one that took place in 1968 – the first ever race for sailing solo, non-stop around the world – saw nine participants of which only one, Robin Knox-Johnston, returned. The rest either sank, retired or committed suicide. To commemorate its golden anniversary, the race is going to be 'retro' i.e. as it was half a century ago. Of its 30 participants of 15 nationalities – Tomy is the only Asian. Excerpts from the interview:
I'm still a man of very few needs, but back among people, I need to behave differently. So I neither shun luxury nor run towards it. I just try to be indifferent. However, I got back to my earlier diet; the sudden change in eating habits (going all-vegetarian) was wrecking havoc on my body.
I wasn't really expecting an invitation, but immediately took a liking to the race because of its principles. Technological advancements have led to an increase in the use of electronics and made races very expensive. Though you still need skill, the more you can spend may determine victory. It has also reduced our tactile interaction with the environment. Going retro will mean a much closer experience of the sea.
The rules are simple – sail your boat single handedly from Plymouth (UK) around the world, non-stop and without taking any help. You have to pass through certain gates and sail within certain limiting latitudes and longitudes. And you can't use technology produced later than 1968. This automatically rules out electronics in navigation and communication, and modern boat-building material.
There are restrictions on the boat's design too – it has to be 32ft- 36ft long, must have a full-length keel with rudder attached to the trailing edge and should have been designed before 1988 with a minimum of 20 boats built by the same builder. You can't make major modifications to improve its performance. Race organisers have put up an approved list of boats; any other design would require prior approval.
Before the race, a boat inspection and full-body checkup will be done and after we return, they will check our calculations. If we manage speed, but our calculations are off, they'll know something's up.
As the listed boats are spread across the world, checking them all out would have been time consuming and very expensive. Moreover, if you opt for William Atkins' design for Robin's Suhaili, there's leeway to construct with wood, fibreglass or steel. So I purchased it from Atkins' family in USA (for $200) and approached Ratnakar of Aquarius Shipyard in Goa. He'd built Mhadei that I used for the last expedition and also Tarini for the six women naval officers, who are currently on their first globe circumnavigation.
The last time, in comparison, was a luxury. Mhadei was a 56-ft-long sloop with an average speed of 7.5-8 knots due to her hull length and sail area, whereas the 32-feet Thuriya's pace will be about 5 knots. Smaller volume inside will also mean much lesser storage space, though the days at sea will be double the time I had spent during the last circumnavigation. It took Sir Robin about 312 days.
Mhadei had been fitted with a suite of electronic navigational aids such as GPS, electronic charts, watches, wind instruments, etc, but for GGR, I'll have to rely on celestial bodies using a sextant and chronometer, dead reckoning or a radio direction finder. The previous modern communication suite – including satellite systems allowing voice and data communication almost anywhere in the world – will be replaced with High Frequency (HF) or VHF sets. Other minor creatures of comfort like such as an RO plant, etc. will also be missing. I'll have to collect and filter rain water.
Finally, unlike the Mhadei, which had already done about 35,000 nautical miles with all teething problems sorted out before I boarded it, Thuriya will require a lot of trial sailing because it's new.
Latest clothing and food technology are permitted, so one can get survival suits, freeze-dry food, etc. And modern survival equipment such as life rafts is a must. But strangely you can only use film cameras, even though modern cameras can't increase your chance of winning.
I'm expecting the total race expense to be about 7.5-8cr. This would include the boat cost, salaries, Thuriya's transportation form India to UK and back, insurances, race-specific equipment, cameras, emergencies, etc. At present, I'm keeping the campaign going with my savings. Ratnakar is building the hull at his cost till a sponsor steps in and Peter Foerthman has donated a wind-pilot. I'm also crowdfunding on Ketto.
I'll continue to meditate, but I'm not planning any other mental preparations. The fact that I'm driven is good enough. At sea, it's best to live one day at a time, you shouldn't count them. You'll get frustrated. And you have to adapt to the boat, the boat will never adapt to you. As for fitness, working on the boat on a daily basis will eventually build the kind of muscles you need. So I won't be going to a gym, but intend to ensure that my body is disease free, healthy and strong to take on whatever the race throws at me.
Navigation will be tough. But otherwise, it's going to be a race against oneself. You have men and women aged 27-60, holding a variety of experiences. But whatever your reputation and preparation, it will take just one freak wave to end your race. So right now, you really can't tell who's going to pose the most challenge other than the sea itself.
