Hobart Yacht Race Marred by Two Fatalities During Stormy Conditions

The deaths of two sailors on the first night of the race mark the first fatalities in the event since 1998, overshadowing LawConnect's victory.

Australian supermaxi LawConnect claimed consecutive line honors with a time of 1 day, 13 hours, 35 minutes, and 13 seconds, finishing ahead of Celestial and Wild Thing.
Sailors Roy Quaden, 55, and Nick Smith, 65, died in separate sail boom-related accidents during rough weather on the night of December 26-27.
The fatalities are the first in the iconic race since six sailors died in the catastrophic 1998 event, which led to major safety reforms.
A total of 29 yachts retired from the race due to damage or challenging weather, including former champion Comanche, which suffered a damaged mainsail.
The Cruising Yacht Club of Australia and law enforcement officials have launched investigations into the incidents, with both yachts involved seized for evidence.