Two dead after yachts struck by sail boom in Sydney to Hobart race
Two people on separate yachts participating in the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race have died after they were each struck by a sail boom on the NSW coast.
The first participant was on the Flying Fish Arctos and died just before midnight. The second participant, aboard the Bowline (SA), died just before 2am.
The yachts jostle for position before the start of the Sydney to Hobart.Credit: Rhett Wyman / SMH
The first yacht was struck by a sail boom about 11.50pm. Fellow crew members performed CPR, but they could not be revived.
The yacht has altered course to Jervis Bay where it is expected to arrive about 7am.
About two hours later, crew members from Bowline were also hit by a sail boom. Officers from the Marine Area Command were informed of a second fatality in the race at 2.15am after crew members unsuccessfully performed CPR.
A police vessel is escorting the second yacht to Batemans Bay. The estimated arrival time is approximately 7am.
The Sydney Hobart Yacht Race Committee has been told both crew members were hit by the boom.
“Flying Fish Arctos was sailing approximately 30 nautical miles east/south-east of Ulladulla when the incident occurred,” a committee statement said on Friday. “Fellow crew members performed CPR, but they could not revive their fellow crew.”
Bowline, the statement said, was approximately 30nm east/north-east of Batemans Bay when it was hit by the boom.
