Two sailors who died on the Sydney to Hobart cruise embraced the spirit of adventure of ocean racing and will “always be crew”.
Family, friends, fellow sailors and members of the public paused to remember Nick Smith and Roy Quaden at a memorial in Hobart on Tuesday.
On a tough first night of racing, Smith, 65, hit his head on a winch aboard Bowline after being thrown from the yacht when hit by the mainsheet.
Quaden, 55, from Western Australia, was on the Flying Fish Arctos when he was struck by the boat’s boom – a pole along the bottom of a sail.
Crew members attempted CPR at sea, but none could be saved.
Two wreaths were laid at Constitution Dock, where Messrs. Smith and Quaden would have set foot after finishing the 628 nautical mile test.
“It is with a heavy heart that we come together to honor two beloved members of our yachting community,” said Sam Haynes, commodore of the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, organizer of the regatta.
‘Both men embraced the spirit of adventure and camaraderie that defines our sport.
Family, friends, fellow sailors and members of the public paused to remember Nick Smith and Roy Quaden at a memorial in Hobart on Tuesday (pictured)
‘We extend our deepest condolences to Nick’s son and daughter, Roy’s wife and two daughters.
“(As well as) his family, his friends, his crewmates and all those in our boating community who feel this deep loss.”
Mr Smith, who was a member of the Royal South Australian Yacht Squadron, has been described as an experienced and down-to-earth sailor.
The world’s lone sailor Jessica Watson was among the solemn, tearful crowd at Constitution Dock.
“May a gentle breeze forever fill your sails and guide you to calm waters,” said Dr. Haynes.
“You will always be part of our crew, carried on the tides of love and memory.”
Police will investigate the deaths, which occurred off the New South Wales south coast, and prepare a report for the coroner which could launch an inquest.
Organizers of the Sydney to Hobart race have committed to a targeted review, which could lead to recommendations for safety reforms.
Two wreaths were laid at Constitution Dock, where Mr. Smith and Mr. Quaden would have set foot after finishing the race (people pictured gathering to honor Mr. Smith and Mr. Quaden)
Several people gathered (pictured) to remember the deceased sailors.
Police will investigate the deaths of the two sailors, off the New South Wales south coast, and prepare a report for the coroner that could trigger an inquest (people gather at Constitution Dock in Hobart to remember Mr Smith and Mr. Quaden).
Widespread changes to racing protocols were implemented after the 1998 event in which six sailors died in wild storms.
Organizers said conditions for the 2024 race, which included winds of up to 40 knots, were in line with the pre-race forecast.
There was also the dramatic rescue of Luke Watkins, who spent around 30 minutes in the water in the dark after being swept away by Porco Rosso.
Celebrations were subdued for line honors winner, supermaxi yacht LawConnect, as well as overall handicap winner, Celestial V70.
Conditions calmed after a tough opening night: there were 30 withdrawals from an initial fleet of 104 yachts, with six remaining at sea as of 2pm on Tuesday.