Two sailors died during Australia’s most prestigious annual yacht race on Friday, local media reported.
Race organisers said the incidents occurred on the Flying Fish yachts Arctos and Bowline, with both men dying after being struck by a boom, a horizontal pole that holds the sails and swings depending on the direction of the wind. A brief statement from the sailing race organisers:
“These accidents are being investigated by the Marine Police and all family members have yet to be contacted so we are unable to provide further details.”
Strong winds and rough seas were forecast for this regatta of about 1,000 nautical miles, which takes place south-east of Australia.
New South Wales Police said crew members administered cardiopulmonary resuscitation to the first casualty, but the sailor could not be saved. Then, a couple of hours later, a crew member from another vessel was also struck by a sail boom and died. Cruising Yacht Club of Australia vice commodore David Jacobs said:
“The sailing community is a very close-knit community and there are about a thousand sailors in this race on the water and to lose two of them is just catastrophic.”
Organisers said seven of the 104 yachts at the start were forced to withdraw. This included Comanche, which set a record in 2017 by completing the regatta in one day, nine hours, 15 minutes and 24 seconds.
In 1998, six sailors died and five boats sank, while 55 competitors had to be rescued when a hurricane hit the race.
