Celestial V70 claimed victory in the 79th Sydney to Hobart yacht race, but the triumph was overshadowed by the tragic deaths of two competitors.
NSW yacht Celestial V70 has been named the provisional overall winner of a Sydney to Hobart race marred by the death of two competitors. The 70-footer was second across the line at 5.10 am on Saturday and skipper Sam Haynes and his crew were presented with the Tattersall Cup on Sunday afternoon with its victory on adjusted time virtually assured. Cruising Yacht Club of Australia Commodore Sam Haynes was aboard overall Sydney to Hobart winner Celestial V70.
The 79th edition of the 628 nautical mile event was hit by tragedy on the first night of sailing when two competitors died at sea in rough weather.“It’s something that is on the mind of myself and the crew. We are very ... saddened and we are thinking about the families of those involved.” Haynes, the commodore of the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, described wild conditions for the boat across Bass Strait as “nuclear”.“The stretch across Bass Strait was most difficult for us - but we negotiated that transition between the northerly breeze and into the front,” he said. Veterinarian Haynes chartered the Volvo 70 with a view to reclaiming the Tattersall Cup after winning the race on handicap in a smaller boat named Celestial two years ago.Supermaxi LawConnect was first to arrive in Hobart in darkness on Saturday morning, taking out back-to-back line honours victories. The yacht skippered by millionaire Christian Beck, had a finish time of one day, 13 hours, 35 minutes and 13 seconds.There have been 30 retirements in weather that hit 40 knots, including line honours contender Master Lock Comanche and 2023 overall winner Tasmanian yacht Alive. Roy Quaden, 55, and 65-year-old Nick Smith died off the NSW south coast after being hit by on-board equipment on yachts Flying Fish Arctos and Bowline respectively. Race organisers have pledged an investigation into the deaths - the first since 1998 when six sailors were killed, prompting mass safety reform
SYDNEY TO HOBART YACHT RACE CELESTIAL V70 FATALITIES SAFETY CONCERNS
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Celestial V70 named as provisional overall winner of this year's Sydney to Hobart Yacht RaceThe New South Wales yacht Celestial V70 has been awarded the Tattersall Cup in the 2024 Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race.
Read more »
SMH forced to apologise for false claim SA lawyer killed in Sydney to HobartThe Sydney Morning Herald has issued an apology after the paper falsely identified South Australian barrister Ian Roberts as one of two men killed during the Sydney to Hobart yacht race.
Read more »
'Tragic': Sailing community rocked by yacht crew deaths in Sydney to Hobart raceTwo people aboard separate vessels perished in a horror night for the race.
Read more »
Porco Rosso sailor Luke Watkins recounts rescue during Sydney to Hobart yacht raceSailor Luke Watkins spent 45 minutes in the water after he was thrown overboard during the Sydney to Hobart yacht race early on Friday morning. He says his safety training and quick thinking from his crew saved his life.
Read more »
One of the sailors killed during Sydney to Hobart yacht race identified as Nick Smith7NEWS brings you the latest local news from Australia and around the world. Stay up to date with all of the breaking sport, politics, entertainment, finance, weather and business headlines. Today's news, live updates & all the latest breaking stories from 7NEWS.
Read more »
Two die in separate incidents in Sydney to Hobart yacht raceThe Sydney to Hobart yacht race has suffered a double tragedy after two sailors died in separate incidents.
Read more »