Titanium Rods in the Spine not a Deterrent!

It is noteworthy that five years ago, Abhilash had to undergo a spinal surgery, which fused five vertebrae into one using titanium rods. He had participated in the same race in 2018, where he had a near-fatal accident. After quitting the Indian Navy in 2019, Abhilash pursued his dream of participating in the Golden Globe Race for the second time.

Abhilash is currently sailing steadily at a speed of 6 to 7 knots in the mid-Atlantic and has manoeuvred his boat, the Bayanat, into a favourable position to pick up winds off the Portuguese Azores Islands. The winds, located at 30 degrees North Latitude, are predicted to help Abhilash reduce the distance between him and race leader Kristin Neuschafer of South Africa. The race will conclude at the French port of Les Sables-d'Olonne, where Neuschafer is likely to become the first woman to win the Golden Globe Race.

Participants in the race will sail solo and non-stop around the world, crossing five Great Capes before returning to Les Sables-d'Olonne. Completing the race will take over 250 days at sea. Thirteen of the 16 skippers who participated in the event last year have dropped out of the race.