Award nomination 'phenomenal', says veteran amputee

9 hours ago

Simon ThakeYorkshire

News image — British Army veteran Craig Wood made history as the first triple amputee to sail solo, non-stop and unsupported across the Pacific Ocean

Craig Wood A man with long curly dark hair stands arms aloft on a sailing boat. He has one prosthetic arms and two prosthetic legs. — British Army veteran Craig Wood made history as the first triple amputee to sail solo, non-stop and unsupported across the Pacific Ocean

A British Army veteran who made history as the first triple amputee to sail solo, non-stop and unsupported across the Pacific Ocean has been nominated for a prestigious disability award.

Craig Wood lost both legs and his left hand in a blast from an improvised explosive device in Afghanistan aged 18. After discovering sailing during his rehabilitation, he made history after completing the voyage from Mexico to Japan in 90 days.

He is nominated for the inspiration award at the Variety Disability Sports Awards.

"I'm a guy from Doncaster, I never thought I'd be put on this road of my life earning awards," he said. "It's not something that I thought I'd be part of, so it's just phenomenal."

The awards were launched by the Variety children's charity in 2023 to celebrate the achievements, dedication, and impact of individuals and groups across the disability sports community.

Other 2026 nominees include double Paralympic gold medallist Richard Whitehead MBE, who is nominated in both the inspiration award and outstanding individual achievement award.

Other nominees for awards include Loughborough University, Boccia England and England women's blind football team.

Craig Wood A young soldier, topless, stands in the desert holding a large weapon. — Craig Wood lost both legs and his left hand in a blast in Afghanistan aged 18

Now 33, he was three months into his first tour when he was injured in Sangin, southern Afghanistan, in 2009.

Wood, who took up sailing to help rebuild his confidence, described completing the 7,506-nautical-mile journey in 2025 as both "incredibly amazing" and "overwhelming".

The father-of-four now works with veterans, teaching them to sail and helping others affected by trauma.

He hopes to train as a counsellor and use his boat as a space to support fellow veterans.

"Sailing has become this thing which I'm really good at and it's sort of the thing that makes me feel best about myself," he said.

"I feel like I can give to the community that I'm in with it."

The awards ceremony, raising money for specialist equipment, accessible transport and practical support for disabled and disadvantaged young people, will take place in London on Monday.

Doncaster veteran makes Pacific Ocean sailing history

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