Tony Bullimore passes away
by Mark Jardine 31 Jul 2018 13:13 BST
31 July 2018
Tony Bullimore : 15 January 1939 - 31 July 2018 © Archive
Round-the-world yachtsman Tony Bullimore has passed away at the age of 79 after being diagnosed with a rare form of cancer.
He became famous during the Vendee Globe in 1997 when his IMOCA 60 monohull, Exide Challenger, capsized in the Southern Ocean. He survived five days in the upturned hull, living off chocolate and water with only his head above water. He was rescued by the Royal Australian Navy's HMS Adelaide which made a 2,500 mile journey, not knowing if Tony was alive or dead.
In 2005, Bullimore skippered a team that came second in the 2005 Oryx Quest race.
Outside of sailing, Bristol resident Tony Bullimore opened The Bamboo Club in 1966 together with his wife Lalel. The club attracted many of the big names in reggae including Bob Marley and the Wailers as well as Ben E King. The club closed 11 years later after a fire.