Sydney to Hobart deaths: Names of sailors killed in famous race released

Two experienced sailors were tragically killed in separate incidents in the Sydney to Hobart yacht race, organisers said, the first fatalities since 1998.

Authorities reported that a crew member aboard one entry into the race was struck by a boom just before midnight on Thursday — fellow members attempted CPR but were unable to revive them.

Later organisers said Nick Smith from South Australia was struck by a mainsheet and thrown across the vessel, hitting his head on the winch and has died.

Smith was 65 and a member of the Bowline, competing in his fifth Sydney to Hobart race.

Around two hours later disaster struck again as another sailor on the Flying Fish Arctos was also struck by a sail boom and died. He was later identified as Roy Quaden, 55, from Western Australia with two decades of sailing experience.

Commodore David Jacobs of the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia spoke to media in Sydney about the “devastating” deaths of the two sailors.

“You will be aware of the terrible, tragic currents that have happened overnight, where we lost two sailors.

“As I’ve said to some of you, the sailing community is a very close community, and there’s about 1000 sailors on the water in this race, and to lose two in this fashion, it’s just devastating.”

Defending champion LawConnect has taken line honours in the tragedy-stricken race.