Solo sailor Alan Paris has paid tribute to "the character of Around Alone", Simone Bianchetti, who has died suddenly.

The death of Bianchetti (35), skipper of Tiscali, from an apparent brain aneurysm was revealed on Saturday.

Bianchetti was third in Class One of the around the world event, having completed the mammoth trek in 159 days, 19 hours, 35 minutes and 11 seconds.

Born in Cervia, Italy, he had sailed from a young age, eventually becoming a professional offshore skipper.

He was ranked as one of Italy's most qualified, promising young skippers, and was renowned for his 'commando' physique and mentality.

"It would be easy to say he was the character of the entire Around Alone," Paris said yesterday. "There were the winners but he was the character."

Though still young, Paris said Bianchetti had lived a full life.

"His 35 years were full," he said. "But obviously it's a life cut short and that's a tragedy.

"I think that's why some people do this (race). I would not say they have a fear of things like that (death) but they want to live a full life under a theory of 'you never know when it's going to end'. And in his case he lived it to the fullest."