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Two Deaths Darken Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race

The 628-mile race from Sydney, Australia, to Hobart, Tasmania, got off to a picture-perfect but brisk start on Boxing Day in Australia. Sadly, the strong conditions during the first night have claimed the lives of two sailors on separate boats — each was hit by the boom. These are the first two deaths in the race in decades. The last time lives were lost was in 1998, when Larry Ellison and crew took line honors aboard Sayonara.

One death was reported just before midnight aboard the McIntyre 55 Flying Fish Arctos, and the second at about 2:30 a.m. aboard the Beneteau 447 Bowline. Another crew member went overboard from the Cookson 50 Porco Rosso but was rescued.

Ron Epstein's new JPK 11.80 Bacchanal rounded the first mark in good shape as she headed out of Sydney Harbor for Tasmania.
Ron Epstein’s new JPK 11.80 Bacchanal rounded the first mark in good shape as she headed out of Sydney Harbour for Tasmania.
© 2024 Rolex Sydney Hobart Race / John

We watched the start of the race at 6 p.m. on Christmas Day and happened to catch the above screenshot of the only US boat in the race, Ron Epstein’s JPK 11.80 Bacchanal, as she started reaching toward Hobart. Misfortune struck Bacchanal and she was forced to retire with a broken boom while running third in IRC 3.

We also watched the 100-ft LawConnect, with Bay Area sailor Rodney Daniel aboard, sail a great first leg out of Sydney Harbour leading rival Master Lock Comanche (formerly Andoo Comanche), only to lose the lead when their Code 0 failed to unfurl as they headed downwind. They eventually got it unfurled and began the chase to catch Master Lock Comanche. That rivalry ended when Comanche suffered mainsail damage, forcing her to retire. LawConnect went on to take line honors for the second year in a row at about 2:30 a.m. Saturday, Hobart time.

In total, 22 of the 104 starting boats have now retired, with at least three dismastings.

The winds are shifting forward and getting lighter as the boats head toward the finish. The loss of two sailors will remain a dark cloud over all competitors as they battle their way south. You can follow the race here.

2 Comments

  1. Eric Hopper 2 months ago

    FYI – Comanche is now Master Lock Comanche. I’m sure whoever authorized Master Lock paying for that privilege would prefer that you use that name rather than the old Andoo Comanche.

    • Monica Grant 2 months ago

      You’re right, Eric. Thanks for pointing that out. We’ll fix it. And thanks for reading!

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