Disaster struck Australia’s iconic Sydney to Hobart yacht race on Friday, as two crew members lost their lives in separate incidents during the first night at sea. Both sailors were struck by the sail boom, a horizontal pole supporting the sails, according to race organizers.
Authorities believe the accidents occurred while crews were changing sails roughly 30 nautical miles off the coast of New South Wales. The victims were identified as 55-year-old Roy Quaden from Western Australia and 65-year-old Nick Smith from South Australia.
“Efforts by crew members to revive the two sailors were unsuccessful,” reported the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, acknowledging the immense emotional strain on the affected crews. “Both those crews are doing it pretty tough at the moment. They are shaken up by what they’ve seen and what they’ve had to do.”
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese expressed his condolences to the families of the deceased. “The Sydney to Hobart is an Australian tradition, and it is heartbreaking that two lives have been lost at what should be a time of joy,” he stated.
This tragedy casts a shadow over the prestigious Rolex Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race, known for its challenging course and rich history dating back to 1945. This 630-nautical-mile race has witnessed heartbreak before, with 13 lives claimed throughout its history, including six sailors lost during a storm in 1998.
The dynamic nature of ocean racing, with constantly moving hulls, sails, and booms, is believed to have played a role in these unfortunate deaths.
