Two sailors lost their lives during the Sydney to Hobart yacht race due to accidents involving booms, marking the first fatalities since 1998. The race is renowned for its competitive nature and demanding sailing conditions, with the Prime Minister expressing condolences over the tragic events.
Tragic Losses Mark Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race as Two Sailors Die
Tragic Losses Mark Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race as Two Sailors Die
The prestigious sailing event witnesses its first fatalities in 26 years amid challenging weather conditions.
Two sailors taking part in the Sydney to Hobart yacht race tragically died in separate incidents overnight under harsh weather conditions, as confirmed by Australian authorities on Friday. This incident marks the first fatalities in the event in decades, raising concerns about safety in one of the world’s most renowned yacht races.
The annual 628-nautical-mile Sydney to Hobart race commenced on Thursday and draws teams from various countries, known for its demanding conditions that have historically resulted in the sinking of yachts. However, it has been 26 years since the last fatalities, during the 1998 race when six sailors lost their lives due to severe storms.
According to New South Wales police, the two men succumbed to injuries from being struck in the head by booms, which are horizontal beams that support the sails of a yacht, swinging wildly as the wind shifts. The first victim, a 55-year-old crew member from the yacht Flying Fish Arctos, was injured just before midnight while the vessel was navigating near Ulladulla, a coastal town south of Sydney. A second incident occurred around 2:30 a.m. on another yacht, Bowline, involving a 65-year-old Australian sailor.
The police stated that both sailors were involved in sail changes at the time of their accidents and neither yacht was actively racing. Investigations into the incidents have been launched, and both vessels have been withdrawn from the race. Additionally, another sailor fell overboard during the event but was successfully rescued, further emphasizing the challenges faced by participants.
Despite the adverse weather conditions, police deemed the conditions safe for the race to continue, although they acknowledged the strong winds and heavy squalls that posed risks. The Sydney to Hobart race, which traditionally kicks off on Boxing Day, has been an Australian tradition since its inception in 1945, prompting remarks of sorrow from Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who expressed his condolences over the heartbreak caused by this loss during what is typically a celebratory time.
