Tony Bullimore dies at 79

Most famous for lasting four days in the upturned hull of his Round the World Racing yacht, Tony Bullimore passed away today. He had recently been diagnosed with cancer.

Mr Bullimore hit the newspapers during the 1997 Vendee Globe race when his boat, Exide Challenger, capsized. Mr Bullimore found himself having to survive in the upturned boat, wondering if he was going to get found in the freezing waters some 2,200km off the coast of Australia.

He kept himself alive eating chocolate and drinking water until his waterlogged boat was seen by an Australian Navy vessel.

Mr Bullimore counted himself lucky when he was found to have escaped with dehydration, mild hypothermia and the loss of the top of a frostbitten finger.

Once safely ashore, Mr Bullimore became a local celebrity in Bristol and was the founding member of the famous Bamboo Club in Bristol, which he opened with his wife Lalel, in 1966.

The nightclub hosted stars including Bob Marley and the Wailers, as well as Ben E King, before it closed 11 years after opening because of a fire.

Paying tribute to Mr Bullimore, Bristol’s Lord Mayor Cleo Lake wrote on Twitter: “A Bristol legend both on the waters and on the music scene.

Veteran yachtsman Tony Bullimore gives an interview at his home in Bristol on Wednesday December 13, 2006 (Anthony Devlin/PA)

“Everything you did to break down racial barriers.

“Sleep well Tony Bullimore.”