A former British soldier and triple amputee has made history, becoming the first person with such a disability to cross an ocean solo, non-stop, and without any outside support. Craig Wood, a 33-year-old from Doncaster, has not only accomplished a monumental feat of high-seas adventure but has also shattered outdated assumptions about what is possible for people with disabilities.
Wood’s record-breaking journey saw him sail his 41-foot catamaran, the Sirius II, across the Pacific Ocean. Setting off from Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, on March 25, he arrived in Hiroshima, Japan, 90 days later on June 24. The epic voyage spanned an incredible 7,506 nautical miles.
Having lost both his legs and his left hand in an IED blast while serving in Afghanistan in 2009, Wood’s physical and mental resilience was tested to its limits. During the three-month journey, he battled unpredictable weather, sleep deprivation, and isolation. He also had to manage the additional challenges posed by his injuries, including adapting his prosthetics and even completing part of the journey one-handed after his prosthetic arm was damaged.
“I’m exhausted—but so proud to complete an expedition that many thought impossible,” Wood said from the finish line in Japan. “It has tested me and my boat almost to the limit, but I tried to stay in the moment, focus on my goal, and the thought of seeing my wife and children at the end spurred me on.”
For Wood, the crossing was about more than just a personal challenge. It was a mission to raise awareness and funds for Blesma and Turn to Starboard, two charities that helped him in his own recovery. His triumph stands as a powerful testament to the human spirit and an inspiring example that with determination and a refusal to accept limitations, there are no limits to what can be achieved.
