The prestigious Rolex Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race has been marred by tragedy, with two sailors killed in separate incidents on the first night of the annual competition, Al Jazeera reports.
The men, identified as Roy Quaden, 55, from Western Australia and Nick Smith, 65, from South Australia, both died after being struck by the sail boom, a horizontal pole used to control the sails.
The incidents occurred approximately 30 nautical miles (56km) off the New South Wales coast on Thursday night. According to the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, the vessels involved were the Flying Fish Arctos and Bowline. Initial reports suggest both men were struck while their respective crews were changing sails.
Superintendent Joseph McNulty of the New South Wales marine area command confirmed that police believe the men were fatally struck by the booms.
The deaths cast a dark shadow over the iconic race, which is considered one of the world’s most challenging and prestigious yachting events. Inaugurated in 1945, the 630-nautical mile journey from Sydney to Hobart has now claimed 13 lives over its nearly 80-year history. This includes six sailors who perished in devastating storms during the 1998 race.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese expressed his condolences, calling the deaths heartbreaking.
