Craig Wood honoured with Seamaster Award after historic Pacific crossing

While most sailors opt for the island-heavy routes south of the equator to break up the journey, Wood took on the unforgiving Northern Pacific. Stretching from Mexico to Japan, a distance of 7,506 nautical miles, this route offers almost no reprieve, and apart from Hawaii, there are hardly any stopovers, which leaves a sailor at the mercy of violent storms and gruelling lulls. 

Starting in Puerto Vallarta in March 2025, Wood spent three months alone on the water before successfully arriving in Hiroshima in June. His arrival was the culmination of an “iron will” that began years earlier. 

Wood’s achievement is framed by a remarkable recovery. In 2009, while serving in Afghanistan, he was critically injured in a bomb attack, losing both legs and his left arm. Rather than letting his injuries define his future, Wood discovered sailing during his rehabilitation and turned the sport into his life’s work. 

 

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“Craig, it’s not just you, but the whole of society that can be proud of this unique achievement. The sailing community is proud of your achievement – it shows that sailing is the perfect way to achieve inclusion,” says  Jens Kroker. Born in Hamburg, he held the laudatory speech for the Briton on Saturday evening. He is the managing director of the Turning Point Foundation, which is committed to more inclusion through the sport of sailing. Kroker and Wood met in 2013 at the Sonar World Championships in Ireland. 

Kroker was born with only one hand – like Craig Wood, sailing gave him self-confidence and helped him to overcome challenges. He has been sailing for over 40 years, has won three medals at the Paralympic Games and is one of the most successful Paralympic sailors ever. 

With this award, Wood joins an elite circle of maritime icons that includes Rolex World Sailor of the Year Kirsten Neuschäfer, Cole Brauer, Boris Herrmann, François Gabart, Jimmy Spithill and Loïck Peyron. The award, presented by Delius Klasing Verlag and boot Düsseldorf, honours those who shape the world of water sports through exemplary commitment and sporting success. 

Today, Wood lives primarily on a boat with his family, having already sailed most of the globe. His 90-day Pacific solo journey stands as a beacon of hope, proving that the most daunting ‘open water’ in life can be crossed with enough determination.