Two Sydney to Hobart sailors from separate yachts have died at sea amid wild weather conditions.
The Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, which administers the iconic race, said that one sailor each on entrants Flying Fish Arctos and Bowline were killed after being struck by the boom, a large horizontal pole at the bottom of the sail.
The incident aboard Flying Fish Arctos occurred around 30 nautical miles east-south east of Ulladulla on the NSW south coast shortly before midnight.
Crew members attempted CPR but could not revive their teammate.
Around two hours later, a crew member aboard Bowline was struck approximately 30 nautical miles east/north-east of Batemans Bay and fell unconscious.
‘(Police were told that) crew members from a second yacht were administering CPR to a colleague who had also been struck by the vessels sail boom,’ NSW Police said.
‘A short time later officers were informed that CPR had been unsuccessful.’
The race will continue as the fleet continues its passage to Constitution Dock, with the first boats expected to arrive later on Friday or early Saturday morning.
Two Sydney to Hobart sailors have died at sea amid wild weather conditions
The Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, which administers the iconic race, said that one sailor each on entrants Flying Fish Arctos and Bowline were killed after being struck by the boom, a large horizontal pole at the bottom of the sail
The crew member aboard Bowline was struck approximately 30nm east/north-east of Batemans Bay and fell unconscious, with CPR also unsuccessful (Bowline is pictured)
‘Our thoughts are with the crews, family and friends of the deceased,’ the CYCA said in a statement.
‘Further information will be provided as it becomes available.’
NSW Police said Flying Fish Arctos is being escorted to Jervis Bay, while Bowline is being escorted to Bateman’s Bay.
Both are expected to arrive around 7am.
Seven boats have now retired, including race favourite, Master Lock Comanche, which pulled out due to main sail damage.
The deaths come 26 years after six sailors were killed in storms during the tragic 1998 running of the race, which triggered a NSW coronial inquest and mass reforms to the safety protocols that govern the race.
A west south-westerly change was expected to hit the Bass Strait overnight, bringing winds up to 40 knots and possible showers – conditions that will be particularly challenging for the smaller boats in the fleet.
Crews battled wild conditions during the iconic race
But even the four 100ft supermaxi yachts risk damage amid the wild weather, which could be race-defining and force more retirements from a fleet standing at 101 yachts.
Drama unfolded early on as fellow supermaxi Wild Thing 100 narrowly avoided a collision with Celestial V70 before recapturing her speed out of the Heads.
Wild Thing was at the centre of another incident in the harbour that left leading URM Group to complete a penalty turn.
URM Group had been required to keep clear of a cluster of boats on her starboard side but struggled to do so with Wild Thing so close leeward.
Just as Whisper flew a protest flag, claiming the mini-maxi had been too close, URM Group completed a penalty turn to absolve herself for the misstep.
Penalty turns for incidents that take place in the harbour must be completed early in the race, or else the offender risks a time penalty on arrival in Hobart.
