Key posts
17th retirement announced, and further damage reported
By Nick Newling
Race will continue, investigation into deaths to take place: Vice Commodore
By Nick Newling
Speaking at a press conference at the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, Vice Commodore David Jacobs said there would be a full investigation into the deaths of two sailors, but that he did not know the identities or the circumstances in which they died.
CYCA Vice Commodore, David Jacobs, addresses media after 2 sailors were killed in separate incidents during the Sydney to Hobart.Credit: Nick Moir
“It’s difficult to know. The club will do an investigation,” Jacobs said, “We always want to improve safety wherever we can, so we will do an investigation. And if there’s something that boats can do to try and prevent this happening, we will implement”
When asked whether the alleged involvement of amateur sailors in the Flying Fish Arctos crew was a risk factor, Jacobs stood by the safety requirements of the race, and the audits made on boats.
As more boats barrell towards a major weather change on the Bass Strait, with strong northerly winds shifting quickly to westerlies, Jacobs said that the race would continue.
“The forecast was strong winds to gale-force winds. These fleets can handle those winds easily. They’re ocean racers. They’re used to those winds. It [is] not extremely vicious.”
More to come.
‘Challenging, testing, but not horrific’: CYCA vice commodore says race will continue
By Nick Newling
Cruising Yacht Club of Australia Vice Commodore David Jacobs has said that though conditions have been fatal for sailors during the race, others were continuing, and any boat that wished to remove itself from the race had that option.
CYCA Vice Commodore David Jacobs speaking on Sunrise from Darling Point.
“There’s a northerly of about 25 knots, which means the boats will be flying down the coast,” Jacobs told Sunrise. “Sea state was not excessive, but by reason of the speeds, it’s possible that they were ploughing into waves, which is always challenging when that happens, a lot of water coming [at] the boat.”
“We’ve got 16 boats [that] have so far retired out of a fleet of 104, so we have 88 boats still in the race. Any boat can retire if they are concerned about the conditions, but those 88 boats are continuing, so I’m assuming from that they are confident that it’s still safe to do so.”
A press conference will be held shortly at the Darling Point Yacht Club.
Boats coming to shore as CYCA speaks to media on identities of sailors
By Anthony Segaert
It is a sombre morning here at the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia at Darling Point.
We’re set to hear from Vice Commodore David Jacobs at 8.30am following the deaths of two sailors overnight – we’ll bring you that press conference live.
The CYCA doesn’t know who has died, with NSW Police leading the efforts to bring those boats to shore. Given the sailing community is very tight-knit, it is an anxious wait this morning as community members wait to see if those who have been killed are close friends.
More to come.
Flying Fish Arctos spotted at Jervis Bay after tragic death of crew member
By Nick Newling
After the death of a crew member who was struck by a boom, Flying Fish Arctos has been brought back to land at Jervis Bay. The yacht was seen being towed by a police boat.
Flying Fish Arctos being towed into Jervis Bay, heading towards the Naval Base.Credit: Peter Rae
This year was set to be Flying Fish Arctos’ 18th race.
Porco Rosso retired after sailor goes overboard
By Nick Newling
We’ve just go word from the CYCA that Porco Rosso, a 15-metre yacht, was forced to retire after a sailor went overboard.
Luckily, the crew member was quickly retrieved, but the team decided to step back from the race at that point.
Porco Rosso was forced to retire after a sailor went overboard.Credit: Getty Images
News of the yacht’s retirement came in just before 5am on Friday.
More to come.
Race leaders making treacherous Bass Strait crossing
By Nick Newling
LawConnect is leading the fleet across Bass Strait, facing 26 knot westerlies, as they churn through the passage that is so often referred to as a “washing machine”. You can watch their livestream from on deck below to see the conditions they are facing.
Following just behind them, at a distance of 8.5 nautical miles, is CYCA Commodore Sam Hayne’s Celestial V70, and just behind them is maxi yacht Wild Thing 100.
The rest of the pack is a little further behind, including race favourites No Limit, Caro and Whisper.
Route tracker shows location of fatal incidents
By Nick Newling
Tracking data from marinetraffic.com has shown the locations of the two incidents aboard Flying Fish Arctos and Bowline, and their return to land.
The path of yacht Flying Fish Arctos as of just before 7am on Friday.
The path of yacht Bowline as of just before 7am on Friday.
Master Lock Comanche among 12 yachts to retire
By Nick Newling
Master Lock Comanche, the race leader and favourite to win line honours, has retired from the Sydney to Hobart after reporting a damaged mainsail. After leading the race, the yacht retired off the coast of Green Cape. This is the eighth time Comanche – which set the race record in 2017 – has raced to Hobart and the first time it has retired.
Master Lock Comanche sailing out of Sydney Heads on Boxing Day.Credit: Getty
URM Group, another major competitor for both line honours and the Tattersall Cup, was also forced to exit the race after being dismasted.
The other retirements are:
- Alive – engine issues
- Transcendence Rudy Project – dismasted (broke in three places)
- Ciao Bella – steering issues
- Philosopher – dismasted
- Calibre 12 – mainsail damage
- Centennial 7 – mainsail damage
- Porco Rosso – man overboard
- Zeus – foil damage
- Bacchanal
- Mayfair
- Rum Rebellion
- Wild Oats
Two dead in tragic night on the sea
By Nick Newling
Two racers have tragically died overnight after both being struck by the booms of their yachts in separate incidents.
The first incident took place aboard Flying Fish Arctos, approximately 30 nautical miles east-south-east of Ulladulla. CPR was performed on the individual by their crew members but was unsuccessful.
The second incident happened on Bowline about 30 nautical miles east-north-east of Batemans Bay. Crew members also administered CPR, which was also unsuccessful.
The incidents are being investigated, and we will bring you updates from the police and the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia as we receive them.
