Two crew members have died during the Sydney to Hobart yacht race. While race favourite Master Lock Comanche (pictured) has pulled out after damage to their main sail, despite a strong start on Thursday. Photo: CARLO BORLENGHI
- Two people have died in separate incidents during the Sydney to Hobart yacht race, one sailing on Bowline and another on Flying Fish Arctos.
- Police say both were struck by sail booms overnight.
- What's next? The crew members' names have not been released.
- Sydney to Hobart yacht race 2024: Everything you need to know
The Sydney to Hobart yacht race has suffered a double tragedy after two sailors died in separate incidents.
The challenging nearly 1200km annual race is Australia's most followed yachting event.
New South Wales Police said a crew member of one Sydney to Hobart entry was struck by a sail boom just before midnight.
Fellow crew members performed CPR, but the person could not be revived.
About two hours later, a crew member of another yacht was also struck by a sail boom, and died.
In a statement, race organisers Rolex, said Flying Fish Arctos was "sailing approximately 30 nautical miles (55 kilometres) east/south-east of Ulladulla when the incident occurred".
"Fellow crew members performed CPR, but they could not revive their fellow crew.
"Bowline was approximately 30 nautical miles east/north-east of Batemans Bay, and crew members administered CPR. A short time later officers from the Marine Area Command were informed that CPR had been unsuccessful.
"As these incidents are being dealt with by the Water Police and all family members are yet to be contacted, we cannot provide further details at this stage.
"Our thoughts are with the crews, family and friends of the deceased."
Flying Fish Arctos is listed as "the flagship yacht in the Flying Fish offshore training fleet", with a crew of 10 plus "skipper and navigator".
"This year's crew will include a number of veterans from previous years, as well as an international crew of trainees competing in the race as a personal challenge."
Bowline had a crew of seven plus "skipper and navigator", race listings show.
The crew "have been selected for their experience and aptitude for offshore races, some with over 40 years' experience and others who have just begun to sail offshore, fulfilling the owner's commitment to stimulate offshore racing programs in local water".
The race left from Sydney on Boxing Day, with favourites Master Lock Comanche and LawConnect leading the 104 boats out. Photo: Photosport
Weather tough but 'not excessive'
Cruising Yacht Club Australia Commodore David Jacobs said "everyone's devastated".
"It's a terrible tragedy.
"The conditions are challenging, but they're not excessive. So we've got sort of winds at about 25 knots coming from the north seas of round about two metres or thereabouts. So they're conditions that most of the sailors would have would normally easily handle.
"I am personally surprised that we've lost a number of the super maxis."
Jacobs said the estimate on Friday morning, was that LawConnect will get in, in one day 11 hours, which is two hours behind the race record.
LawConnect soon after the start of the Sydney Hobart Yacht Race on Boxing Day. Photo: photosport
Australian PM sends condolences
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the thoughts of all Australians were with the loved ones of the two sailors who died overnight in the Sydney to Hobart yacht race.
Albanese described the news as heartbreaking.
"We know that Sydney to Hobart is such an extraordinary tradition, but it is awful that we have this news that two sailors have lost their lives … and we just hope that everyone stays safe during the journey to Hobart."
Sailor overboard rescued
Jacobs said there had been "one good story out of the race".
"So far, we had a person overboard, which is one of the most terrifying experiences that you can face when you're out to sea, on the boat Porco Rosso.
"That person was swept about 1.2 nautical miles from the boat, but all of the training and all of the safety systems that we've got kicked into place."
He said the sailor triggered their personal location beacon and boats were "diverted to help the search".
"Fortunately, the boat from which he went overboard was able to find him and retrieve him, and he's well and healthy."
Sixteen boats have now retired, including 2023 overall winner Alive and race favourite, Master Lock Comanche, which has pulled out due to main sail damage.
The super maxi, which is the race record holder, and has claimed line honours four times, was leading the race off the far south coast of New South Wales, when the team announced they were pulling out.
LawConnect, which won line honours last year by just 51 seconds from Comanche, is currently race leader.
You can follow the progress with the race's yacht tracker or on the Marine Traffic website.
- This article was first published by the ABC