In brief
The Sydney to Hobart yacht race, an annual tradition, faced a tragic turn this year as two crew members were killed after being struck by a boom from their respective boats.
In a heartbreaking update, the annual Sydney to Hobart yacht race has seen the loss of two participants due to separate boom incidents, as confirmed by police reports. The first casualty occurred on the vessel Flying Fish Arctos, while the second incident took place aboard Bowline. The tragic events unfold as dozens of boats participate in this challenging maritime race. Local authorities in New South Wales (NSW) were alerted to the first incident shortly before midnight on Thursday, local time, by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority based in Canberra. Just over two hours later, at 02:15 on Friday, police received information about the second incident occurring on Bowline, where crew members were attempting CPR, but their efforts proved futile.Both incidents took place approximately 30 nautical miles off the coast, with Flying Fish Arctos sailing east/south-east of Ulladulla, and Bowline located east/north-east of Batemans Bay. In a somber statement, race organizers expressed their condolences, stating, “Our thoughts are with the crews, family, and friends of the deceased.”Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese mourned the loss, emphasizing that the Sydney to Hobart yacht race is a cherished Australian tradition and should be a time for celebration, not sorrow. Despite this tragedy, the race, which commenced on Thursday, continues, although several vessels have already withdrawn due to challenging weather conditions. This year's incident is a reminder of the race's history of hazards, as the event, which started in 1945, has previously seen fatalities, notably in 1998 when six competitors perished due to severe storms. As the first yachts are expected to reach Hobart later today or early Saturday, the tragedy casts a shadow over what is usually a jubilant occasion.
