Deaths, dropouts in Sydney Hobart Race

(December 27, 2024) – There have been two separate deaths overnight in the 2024 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, involving the yachts Flying Fish Arctos (McIntyre 55) and Bowline (Beneteau First 44.7). The Race Committee were advised both crew members were hit by the boom (see correction below).

Flying Fish Arctos was sailing approximately 30nm east/south-east of Ulladulla when the incident occurred. Fellow crew members performed CPR, but they could not revive their fellow crew.

Bowline was approximately 30nm east/north-east of Batemans Bay and crew members administered CPR. A short time later officers from the Marine Area Command were informed that CPR had been unsuccessful.

The incidents are being dealt with by the Water Police and as all family members are yet to be contacted, the names of the deceased have not been released.

In other news, the VPLP Verdier 100 Master Lock Comanche (NSW) had retired earlier today due to mainsail damage. The yacht is the race record holder and was leading the race, approximately 63 nautical miles off Green Cape when she retired.

She is co-skippered by four-time Sydney Hobart winner, Matt Allen and James Mayo, who last sailed the race aboard Sovereign when she took the double line and overall win in 1987.

This is an eighth Sydney Hobart for Comanche and her first retirement since launching and racing in 2014. She has taken line honors four times, including 2022 and famously missed out last year by just 51 seconds to Christian Beck’s LawConnect, which is the new race leader.

As of this publication, 17 of the 104 starters on December 26 have retired from the 628nm race.

UPDATE: The names and additional details of the two deceased sailors were released later on December 27. Roy Quaden 55, from Western Australia, was a crew member on Flying Fish Arctos (NSW), and had been struck by the yacht’s boom during an incident. Nick Smith 65, from South Australia, was a crew member on Bowline (SA), and it was initially believed he had incurred a similar accident, but it was later learned he was hit by the mainsheet which threw him across the boat and where he hit his head on the winch. It was believed that the winds for both boats were running between 30 and 38 knots with two to three meter seas. Flying Fish Arctos and Bowline are among 21 yachts retired for the race as at 1630 local time.

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The 2024 Sydney Hobart Race extends 628-nautical miles from Sydney Harbour to Hobart, the state capital of Tasmania. The start on December 26 takes place in the heart of the Australian summer, with 105 yachts set to take on the 79th edition.

Source: RSHYR