The Sydney to Hobart yacht race has been marred by tragedy, with two sailors losing their lives in separate incidents on the first night of the race.
The victims have been identified as 55-year-old Roy Quaden from Western Australia and 65-year-old Nick Smith from South Australia.
The Fatal Accidents
Roy Quaden, a seasoned sailor and drilling engineer, was hit by a sail’s boom on the NSW-based vessel Flying Fish Arctos around 11:50 pm on Thursday. The boom swung out of control due to challenging sea conditions, causing a fatal head injury. Quaden’s crewmates called for urgent assistance, but unfortunately, he couldn’t be saved.
Just hours later, around 2 am on Friday, Nick Smith was struck by the yacht’s boom on the Bowline vessel. Despite immediate CPR efforts by the crew, Smith couldn’t be resuscitated.
The Victims: Experienced Sailors
Both Quaden and Smith were experienced sailors with a passion for the sport. Quaden had been sailing for decades and had worked as a senior drilling manager for Japanese energy company Inpex out of Jakarta. Smith, a 65-year-old from South Australia, had completed four previous Sydney to Hobart races and was a regular competitor in the Hamilton Island Sailing Regatta.
Investigation Underway
New South Wales is handling the investigation into the matter, with the assistance of the organizers of the iconic Blue Water Classic and the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia. The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) has also been involved in the rescue efforts.
Prime Minister Offers Condolences
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has extended his condolences to the crews, families, and loved ones of the late sailors. “We have sadly awoken to tragedy in the Sydney to Hobart with the awful news two sailors have lost their lives,” Mr. Albanese said in a statement.
Race Continues Amidst Tragedy
Despite the tragedy, the Sydney to Hobart yacht race continues, with 88 yachts remaining in the fleet. Sixteen boats have retired from the event, including race favorite Master Lock Comanche, which has pulled out due to main sail damage.
Safety Protocols Under Scrutiny
The tragedy has raised questions about the safety protocols in place for the race. Yacht Club of Australia vice commodore David Jacobs has defended the Bureau of Meteorology’s forecast, saying that the winds were not extreme for ocean racers. However, the incident has sparked concerns about boat safety and the measures in place to protect sailors.