Simone Bianchetti (1968 - 2003)
Simone was born in Cervia on 20th Februaury 1968. He was already in close contact with the Adriatic sea from an early age thanks to his first regattas and his presence in the Military Navy.
In 1988 he was awarded a distinction for having saved two people blocked by the breakers on the rocks of Porto Garibaldi.
In 1994 he participated in the first big solo regatta, the BOC, sailing non-stop around the world. Serious trouble with the boat forced him to withdraw from the competition in the Indian Ocean.
In 1995 he was classified in tenth position in the Mini-Transat, a solo regatta on a boat which measured less than six and a half metres.
In 1996 he participated in the Transat Anglaise and the Quebec-Saint Malo.
In 1997 he took part in the solo regatta in Figaro.
In 1998 he set off for the Route du Rhum, from Saint Malo to Guadalupa, on board the boat Italia Telecom Tnt.
In 1999 he faced the Sahara and was classified in fourth place in the Transat des Sables, 800 km on a vehicle with three wheels and a sail.
His lastest effort, La Vendée Globe in 2001, which proved him to be the best sailor in Italy, saw him sail solo around the world non-stop without assistance.
After he had navigated around the Canaries, advanced across the Atlantic and having circum-navigated the world from west to east, touched Capo Leeuwin in Australia and Cape Horn in America and after 120 days of navigation Simone became part of the history of sailing in Italy.
Next he was busy with a new circum-navigation of the globe, solo once more, leaving from New York on 15th September 2002. It is one of the toughest regattas on the ocean after the Vendée Globe. This new challenge candidated Simone Bianchetti to become the heir of Giovanni Soldini, winner of the last edition.
Official Tourist Information Site of Cervia