The 2024 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race began on Dec. 26 with 108 yachts departing at 1 p.m. local time. From the start, the 100-foot yachts, LawConnect and Master Lock Comanche captivated the spectator fleet.
The provisional overall winner of the 628-nautical-mile race was the Volvo 70, Celestial, owned and skippered by Sam Haynes, commodore of the event host Cruising Yacht Club of Australia. The yacht finished in 1 day, 16 hours, 10 minutes, 20 seconds. It’s the second time that Haynes has led a boat to the Tattersalls Cup, claiming the trophy in 2022.
Crossing the line first was the 110-foot maxiyacht, LawConnect, with owner Christian Beck at the helm, finishing in 1 day, 13 hours, 35 minutes and 12 seconds. This earned the team the Line Honours award because it was the first to complete the race.
Third overall went to another maxiyacht, Wild Thing 100, followed by Caro and Smuggler.
Post-race champagne-soaked celebrations didn’t take place because the 19th edition of the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race had two deaths on separate vessels on the second day of racing. They were the first in the event since 1998.
Roy Quaden, 55, from Western Australia, a crewmember on Flying Fish Arctos, died, according to an announcement from the CYCA. He was struck by the boat’s boom about 30 nautical miles east/southeast of Ulladulla, New South Wales, Australia. Crewmembers unsuccessfully tried to revive Quaden with CPR.
Nick Smith, 65, from South Australia, was a crewmember on Bowline when he was struck by on-board equipment. Fellow crew tried to revive him but were unsuccessful. The boat was approximately 30 nautical miles east/northeast of Bateman’s Bay where it pulled in to retire from the race. Flying Fish Arctos pulled into Jervis Bay.
The 100-footer, Master Lock Comanche, had to retire from the race with sail damage. Soon after, another maxiyacht, Wild Oats, pulled out with rigging damage.
The first double-handed crew to finish was Rupert Henry and Corentin Douget in Mistral. They were ahead of Disko, Trooper, Contender and Jupiter.