Craig Wood has made it: after 90 days at sea, the British veteran arrived safely in the Japanese harbour of Hiroshima yesterday morning at 10am local time. The 33-year-old is the first triple amputee to successfully complete a solo crossing of the Pacific. With his 41-foot catamaran Sirius II, he covered around 7,500 nautical miles (approximately 14,000 kilometres) alone - from Puerto Vallarta in Mexico to Hiroshima in Japan.

Between a torn sail and confidence

Craig Wood had to reschedule his originally planned arrival in Osaka harbour shortly before reaching his destination. Due to a faulty starboard engine, he and his team on land decided to take a safer route to Hiroshima. "With only one working engine, I couldn't take the risk of calling at a busy harbour," explains Wood.

Despite adverse conditions - including doldrums, a torn gennaker sail, a broken reefing line and a broken rudder - Wood stayed on course. "I would be surprised if a boat could sail over 3,000 nautical miles without suffering any damage. I had a lot to do, but that's part of life on board.", says Wood. He improvised repairs several times in order to continue his journey. Even in challenging moments, he kept calm: "I’ve seen many rainbows, lots and lots of flying fish and a Booby that seems to have made my boat its home is keeping me company and has helped to restore my faith in what I’m doing and made me appreciate what I’m capable of out here in the middle of the vast Pacific Ocean."

Support from Ottobock

Craig Wood used prosthesis solutions from the medical technology company Ottobock during his cruise. On board, he wore the waterproof and corrosion-resistant Genium X3 knee joint in combination with an everyday prosthetic foot on both sides. "My Genium X3’s, give me the freedom to live day to day on the Sea and enable me to live a complete life on and off the water. I can’t wait to take my kids for a walk now that I am done.", Wood said as he arrived. For work below deck or in heavy seas he used the Challenger Sport prosthetic feet. Their design gave him greater safety and mobility, especially in confined spaces and on wet decks.

"Craig's voyage is about visibility. Not everyone needs to cross an ocean, but seeing it done challenges assumptions and expands what we imagine is possible for people with disabilities. Representation like this matters.", says Martin Wider, Vice President Customer Experience at Ottobock.

Since a bomb attack in Afghanistan in 2009, in which Wood lost both legs above the knee and his left arm below the elbow, he has fought his way back to life with extraordinary determination. During his rehabilitation, he rediscovered sailing - today he lives mainly on a boat with his family.

During his journey of around 90 days, during which he reached an average speed of 3,6 knots, the father of two - soon to be three - children collected donations for the organisations Blesma and Turn 2 Starboard, which support wounded veterans. Wood describes the moment when he received the news en route that he was going to be a father again as the "emotional highlight of the journey".

For Craig Wood, it was more than just a sailing trip. He wanted to prove that boundaries can be pushed - for himself and for anyone who doubts themselves. Mission accomplished.