Simone Bianchetti, skipper of the Around Alone entry, Tiscali

A Big Loss

Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, Chairman of Clipper Ventures, the company that ran the last Around Alone race had this to say about Simone.

"Simone was larger than life. He was an ebulliant, extrovert who charmed all of us who were fortunate enough to know him. He was also a very fine racing sailor and seaman as his second position in Class 1 for the last leg of this years Around Alone showed. Difficulties with his boat prevented him from showin his true pace earlier in the event, but what we saw at the finish was a Simone who had sorted out his problems as was showing his real potential. He had so much more to offer, achievements to come, but sadly he has been taken from us before he was allowed to show the world his true capabilities. We mourn a good friend, the epitomy of the "laughing fellow rover."

Our love, thoughts and prayers go out to Simone's family, his wife Inbar and his sailing team. We will miss you my friend more than you can ever know. You are part of a very special family and we salute your accomplishments and miss your smile and good humor. Travel safely to your next destination - this may be your last passage, and you may be alone, but remember you are never alone. You never were. - Brian Hancock.

Last week, the international sailing fraternity lost one of its up and coming ocean racing stars. Simone Bianchetti, skipper of the Around Alone entry, Tiscali, passed away on Friday June 29 due to a brain aneurysm at the age of 35 while sitting on his boat in port with his wife. Apparently, he began to feel very ill, assistance was called but unfortunately, they were not able to save him. A memorial service was held on July 1^st.

My report from the Around Alone awards ceremony shed some light on Simone mostly due to his antics. I’ll admit the story went through multiple drafts in order to prevent the wrong message from coming across.

Around Alone Dinner Awards To clarify, Simone said and did what he wanted in the way he wanted, with little regard for the sometimes dry, traditional yachting etiquette. As I wrote at the time, his outlook and sense of humor were appreciated.

In choosing the profession of an Ocean Racer, he put his faith in his team, sponsors, modern high performance technology, and complimented it by good old fashion self confidence which was strong enough to allow his complete personality to be seen by the world. He has been described as a commando. It’s refreshing to see a Commando celebrating a stop over finish with a somersault.

His racing achievements are vast and impressive. After graduating from the Italian Navy, he went on to managing multiple winning teams throughout the Mediterranean. In 1994 he raced his Open 50 class ‘Spirit of Cervia’, but was forced to retire. The following year he came back to finish the race. Perhaps the more extreme side of his soul was appealed to by his 6.5 Meter Mini entry in the Transat race. In 1996 he successfully competed in the Europe 1 Star race with a second place finish. In 2000/01 he entered the Vendee Globe on 'Aquarelle.com' in which he finished his first Solo Circumnavigation in 121 days. Adding another dimension to the man was his book of poems he wrote while competing in the Vendee Globe.

There’s always one in a crowd. That one person who you remember a couple of days after meeting them. Simone was the one guy in the crowd whose personality and attitude stays with you.