Team Forces is immensely proud to celebrate the extraordinary achievement of Craig Wood, a 33-year-old former Army rifleman from Doncaster and one of our sponsored athletes, who has made history as the world’s first triple amputee to sail solo, non-stop, and unsupported across the Pacific Ocean.
Craig’s journey—an epic 90-day voyage spanning 7,506 nautical miles—saw him depart Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, on 25 March and arrive triumphantly in Hiroshima, Japan, at 1:00am BST on 24 June. Averaging 3.6 knots aboard his beloved boat Sirius II, Craig has not only shattered records but also redefined the boundaries of possibility for people living with life-changing injuries.
Team Forces CEO Maj Gen Lamont Kirkland said, “This is a moment of immense pride—not just for Craig, but for all of us at Team Forces who have supported him on this journey. Craig embodies the resilience, courage and determination that our organisation stands for. He has demonstrated that no challenge is insurmountable, no matter the odds.”
As a triple amputee, Craig faced unimaginable physical and mental challenges. Along the way, he encountered unpredictable weather systems, severe isolation, sleep deprivation and numerous equipment failures—from torn sails and a seized engine to a broken prosthetic arm. Yet Craig’s resolve never faltered. Throughout the journey, he showed the same resourcefulness and grit that defined his military service: patching sails, repairing plumbing, and even crafting a homemade AIS antenna. Incredibly, he still found time to mentor a friend at sea, grow a tomato plant, and bake bread from scratch—one-handed.
Reflecting on his experience, Craig shared: “I’m exhausted – but so proud to complete an expedition that many thought impossible. It’s tested me and my boat almost to the limit, but I stayed focused on the moment and thought of my family kept me going. We’re expecting our third child, so I can’t wait to be reunited with my wife and kids and start this next chapter together. It’s still my hope that by achieving this world record, I can change the perception of disability and show how sailing—and sport in general—can transform the lives of those affected by trauma.”
For Team Forces, Craig’s achievement is a powerful testament to the strength of the Armed Forces community. Team Forces exists to support serving personnel, veterans and their families by backing programmes that aid recovery, rehabilitation and reintegration—often through sport, challenge, and adventure.
Team Forces CEO Maj Gen Lamont Kirkland stated, “This achievement is nothing short of phenomenal. Craig’s resilience, courage and determination reflect the very best of the Armed Forces community. He is not only a world record holder—he’s a trailblazer and an inspiration.
Craig’s story is exactly why we do what we do. He’s shown that with the right support and the right spirit, recovery can lead to something extraordinary. We salute him—not just as a record-breaker, but as an inspiration to others who are still navigating their own path after injury.”
As Craig raises awareness and funds for the charities that supported him through recovery, Team Forces stands with him in championing the message that there are no limits.
‘A huge thank you to my sponsors for helping me to achieve this massive challenge.’
CRAIG WOOD
CRAIG WOOD’S STORY
Having gone through basic training as a rifleman in the British Army, Craig was posted to Afghanistan shortly after his 18th birthday. It was just three months into his first tour when his life was to change forever. Craig lost both legs and his left hand in an IED (improvised explosive device) bomb blast on July 30th, 2009. He also suffered two collapsed lungs, lost 27 pints of blood and his face was ravaged by shrapnel.
It took eight months for Craig to learn to walk again and four-and-a-half years of rehabilitation work at the dedicated Headley Court facility in Surrey to improve his quality of life. His recovery was long, slow and painful – with over 20 operations over four years. It was a mental and physical battle, but one that fifteen years on he’s proving he’s winning.
Fifteen years on, Craig lives on his boat, Sirius II, with his wife, Renata, and their two young children for much of the year. It’s a nomadic lifestyle true to the character he has become and one which the whole family embraces.