Kollam: The 2022 Golden Globe Race, a solo non-stop Yacht race around the world, is coming to an epic conclusion. Malayali sailor Abhilash Tomy, who placed second, is expected to finish the race on Saturday morning by arriving at Les Sables-d'Olonne, France. Meanwhile, South African Kirsten Neuschäfer is likely to script a new record as she leads the race. 

Abhilash Tomy, a retired naval officer, became the first Indian to complete a solo, non-stop circumnavigation of the world under sail in 2013. In 2018, he took part in the race as an invitee but failed to complete the journey after his boat got damaged in a storm, and he suffered a severe injury to his spine. However, he returned to compete in the 2022 edition of the race. 

"Expect to finish the race in two or three days. Right now, I am having a sleepless night. There are a lot of ships here, and the visibility is poor due to the presence of mist. Therefore, I am carefully steering the yacht. I reduced the speed due to issues with the steering," he said via a satellite phone on Wednesday. He noted that organisers won't reveal whether his family would be present at the finishing point or not. 

Meanwhile, Abhilash said that environmental issues are posing a threat to the ecology and marine life. He expressed concern over the presence of plastics wastes in oceans and pointed out the variation in sea temperature. He pointed out that he would write about his experience after returning home.