Tragic Deaths of Two Sailors During Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race

The Cruising Yacht Club of Australia (CYCA) has reported the unfortunate deaths of two sailors, Nick Smith from South Australia and Roy Quaden from Western Australia, who lost their lives during the Sydney to Hobart yacht race. Mr. Quaden died after being struck by the sail boom while aboard his yacht, Flying Fish Arctos. Similarly, Mr. Smith, an experienced sailor competing in his fifth Sydney to Hobart race on the boat Bowline, was believed to have been hit by the boom; however, it was later clarified that he was actually struck by the main sheet and subsequently thrown against a winch, resulting in fatal injuries.

In response to the incidents, CYCA Vice-Commodore David Jacobs indicated that both yachts had safely returned to harbor and that the club is providing support to the families affected. He stated that the race will not be canceled, emphasizing that it is vital for skippers to assess the safety of continuing the race based on the conditions they face at sea. Jacobs acknowledged that the severe weather could have influenced the accidents, while noting that the boats were constructed to withstand the rough conditions predicted by the Bureau of Meteorology.

Royal South Australian Yacht Squadron Rear Commodore Owen Heskett described Mr. Smith as a skilled off-shore sailor, and the senior vice-president of INPEX, Bill Townsend, expressed condolences to Mr. Quaden's family. These fatalities mark the first experienced during the Sydney to Hobart race since 1998. As the race progressed, other vessels encountered challenges as well, with one crew member being rescued after being thrown overboard and multiple boats retiring due to equipment failures. According to BOM forecaster Stephen Stefanac, wind gusts had reached up to 80 kilometers per hour, coupled with significant wave heights, further indicating the dangerous conditions competitors faced.

Skippers of the leading SuperMaxis had foreseen severe weather, and some reports noted that the conditions matched their fears. The crew aboard LawConnect, the reigning line honors champion, described the weather as the toughest they had encountered. Their main competitor, Master Lock Comanche, unfortunately had to withdraw after sustaining damage to its main sail during the tumultuous race. Prior to the event, co-skipper James Mayo had highlighted the importance of ensuring the safety of the crew and the vessel amidst the challenging forecasts.