Simone Bianchetti

Simone Bianchetti was an Italian sailor and ocean racer born in 1968 in Cervia, on the Adriatic coast of Italy. The high points of his racing career include a successful completion of the 'Vendée Globe' in 2000-2001 finishing in 12th position, in 121 days 1 hour and 28 minutes and also his 3rd place in the '2002-2003 Around Alone' which arguably signified his entry among the elite of the sport. This career on-the-rise was unfortunately cut short a few months later, when Simone unexpectedly died of a cerebral aneurysm as he was enjoying the company of family and friends aboard a boat in the port of Savona. After graduating from the Italian Naval Institute of Cesenatico, and after obtaining his captaincy on the training Vessel Giorgio Cini" based in Venice, Simone served in the Italian Navy for two years and then devoted himself to the sport of sailing. Bianchetti's ocean racing career started in earnest with his entry in the '1994-1995 BOC' Challenge, aboard 50 foot yacht named 'Town of Cervia'. This salute to his hometown didn't bring him luck however as he was forced to retire from the race during the second leg (Cape Town - Sidney). He then took part in several Transat races many singlehanded, generally in the 50 foot or less category, until 1998 when he placed 26th in the 'Route du Rhum' (Saint-Malo to Pointe-à-Pitre) aboard 'Italia Telecom TNT', the first 60 foot open built in Italy. It is also in the IMOCA Open 60 class that he completed the Vendée Globe and the Around Alone mentioned above. Simone Bianchetti is also know for publishing a book of poetry which he wrote during his first single handed circumnavigation.