Two sailors died as wild weather conditions forced 15 yachts to withdraw from the Sydney to Hobart yacht race, organisers said.
The crew members were taking part in the 722-mile-long race and passed away overnight at sea in separate accidents.
One sailor was on the Flying Fish Arctos and the other on Bowline when they were struck by their yachts' booms - the horizontal pole extending from the mast's bottom.
“Flying Fish Arctos was sailing approximately 30 nautical miles (55 kilometres) east/south-east of Ulladulla when the incident occurredm,” race organiser Rolex said in a statement.
"Fellow crew members performed CPR, but they could not revive their fellow crew.
"Bowline was approximately 30 nautical miles east/north-east of Batemans Bay and crew members administered CPR. A short time later officers from the Marine Area Command were informed that CPR had been unsuccessful.
The names of the crew members who died have not yet been released. As these incidents are being dealt with by the Water Police and all family members are yet to be contacted, we cannot provide further details at this stage.”
Meanwhile, race favourite Master Lock Comanche was among the 15 yachts to withdraw from the race due to poor weather.
Despite these conditions the race will continue towards Hobart’s Constitution Dock, with the first boats set to arrive later on Friday or early Saturday morning.