Organizers of the Sydney to Hobart yacht race were devastated to announce on Friday that two sailors had tragically lost their lives at sea in separate incidents. The incidents occurred amidst wild weather conditions that forced multiple boats to retire from the race, including the line honours favourite Master Lock Comanche.

The race will continue as the remaining fleet makes their way towards Constitution Dock in Hobart. The first boats are expected to arrive later on Friday or early Saturday morning.

The Cruising Yacht Club of Australia (CYCA) in Sydney, the governing body of the race, confirmed that the two sailors lost their lives due to being struck by the boom, a large horizontal pole at the bottom of the sail. One sailor was on the yacht Flying Fish Arctos, while the other was on the yacht Bowline.

The tragic incident aboard Flying Fish Arctos took place approximately 30 nautical miles east-southeast of Ulladulla on the New South Wales south coast. Despite the crew’s efforts to perform CPR, they were unable to revive their teammate.

Similarly, the crew member aboard Bowline was struck around 30 nautical miles east/north-east of Batemans Bay and fell unconscious. Despite immediate CPR efforts, the sailor could not be revived.

The CYCA expressed their deepest condolences, stating, “Our thoughts are with the crews, family, and friends of the deceased sailors.”

This heartbreaking event comes 26 years after the tragic loss of six sailors during the 1998 Sydney to Hobart race due to severe storms. The incident prompted a state coronial inquest and led to significant reforms in the safety protocols governing the race.