Two Sailors Die in the Stormy First Night of Sydney-Hobart Annual Race
Two sailors died on the first stormy night of the annual Sydney-Hobart yacht race in separate accidents involving two different boats. The tragic incidents add to the long history of fatalities at sea in this competition.
Two Sailors Die in the Stormy First Night of Sydney-Hobart Annual Race
Two Sailors Die in the Stormy First Night of Sydney-Hobart Annual Race
Two sailors died on the first stormy night of the annual Sydney-Hobart yacht race in separate accidents involving two different boats. The tragic incidents add to the long history of fatalities at sea in this competition.
The Cruising Yacht Club of Australia reported that competitors from the boats "Flying Fish Arctos" and "Bowline" lost their lives after being struck by the boom, a large horizontal pole used to control the sails. The deceased include a 55-year-old man from Western Australia and a 65-year-old man from South Australia.
New South Wales Police Superintendent Joe McNulty stated that the crews of the boats are deeply shaken. "Police, doctors, and counselors are supporting them. What they witnessed was truly devastating. However, they didn’t give up,” he said.
Sailor Rescued from the Sea
In a separate incident, a sailor from the yacht "Porco Rosso" fell overboard but was rescued using an emergency radio beacon. The incident happened at night, which made the rescue even more challenging. David Jacobs, the Vice Commodore of the Cruising Yacht Club, described the experience as "terrifying and significantly more difficult in the dark."
Echoes of the 1998 Storm
The accidents bring back memories of the deadly storm during the 1998 race, which claimed the lives of six sailors and led to major safety reforms. Despite the enhanced safety measures, these recent tragedies highlight the risks inherent in the race.
Current Status of the Race
In the 79-year history of the Sydney-Hobart race, 13 participants have died, including four from heart attacks. After 30 hours into the 628-nautical-mile-long competition, 22 yachts have withdrawn, while 82 are still sailing.
"LawConnect," which was leading the race after departing Sydney Harbor, is now approximately 100 nautical miles away from the finish line in Hobart, Tasmania. It is expected to reach the destination overnight.
Past Records
In 2017, the yacht "Comanche" set the fastest record for the race, completing the course in 1 day, 9 hours, 15 minutes, and 24 seconds. However, "Comanche" has already withdrawn from this year’s competition.
