Two dead in accidents during Sydney-Hobart sailing race
During the Australian Sydney-Hobart sailing race, two participants died in separate accidents in quick succession. Both people were fatally hit by the boom during the race. They are two Australians aged 55 and 65.
The annual Sydney-Hobart race of over 1100 kilometres is one of the most famous sailing competitions in the world, from the largest city in Australia to the capital of the island of Tasmania. The 104 ships participating this year left yesterday.
Something went wrong on board the Flying Fish Arctos around midnight local time. Crew members tried to resuscitate the colleague who was hit, but to no avail.
More than two hours later, something went wrong in the same way on board the Bowline. A second person on board was injured, this person possibly broke his shoulder as a result of the impact.
The organisers expressed their condolences at a press conference in Sydney Harbour. “The sailing world is a close-knit community. There are about a thousand sailors in this race and to lose two of them is devastating.”
Australian Prime Minister Albanese called the race an Australian tradition and found it “heartbreaking that two lives were lost in what should have been a great moment”.
More fatal accidents
Sydney-Hobart is known as a dangerous race. Although it takes place in the Australian summer, the route on the open sea can be quite a challenge. This year too, there was strong wind and high waves and the organisation predicted that participants would “have a rough night”.
A total of sixteen yachts have now dropped out. In addition to the two fatal accidents, this also includes ships with damage such as a broken mast, a torn sail or technical problems. The remaining competitors are expected in Hobart later today or early tomorrow.
This is not the first time that there have been casualties during the race, which has been held since 1945. In 1998, a tough race saw six people die when five yachts sank in bad weather. Minimum age and experience requirements were subsequently introduced.