Sam Haynes Urges Inquiry into Tragic Deaths During Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race
Sam Haynes has thrown his weight behind an inquiry into deaths in Sydney to Hobart, bringing unique perspective as race winner and host club boss. What we know.
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Sam Haynes has welcomed an inquiry into the two deaths in this year’s Sydney to Hobart yacht race and as the winner on overall handicap and boss of the host club, the Sydney sailor will bring a unique perspective to any investigation.
The 60-year-old veterinarian is Commodore of the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, which has hosted the event since the first in 1945.
Skippering the Volvo 70, Celestial V70, in the 79th edition for the 628 nautical mile classic, Haynes streeted the fleet to claim his second Tattersalls Cup in three years.
Haynes is right behind the inevitable inquiry into the deaths.
“As a sailor and competitor and for the sport, anything that happens of any nature needs to be looked at,” Haynes said.
The two sailors killed in Friday morning’s Sydney to Hobart tragedy were Western Australian Roy Quaden, 55, who was struck in the head by the boom on Flying Fish Arctos (NSW), and South Australian Nick Smith, 65, who was thrown across the deck of Bowline (SA) hitting his head of a winch.
There are suggestions helmets be considered as mandatory equipment in future events, but Haynes said it was too early to speculate.
“I don’t know what the findings will be, and I don’t enough about the circumstances, but I think anything will be considered, I guess.” he said.
As CYCA Commodore and two-time race winner, Haynes will bring a valuable contribution to the race review but is not sure what part he will play.
“I am Commodore of the club so there will be a role but I’m not sure what it will be,” he said.
“All of that will come through in the future, right now we haven’t made those moves.”
Haynes said there would be a wide range of contributors.
“Anyone involved in the race, and there are a lot of very experienced racers out there, will have input into any investigation,” he said.
“There will be all sorts of options for expert advice, not just from me as a competitor and Commodore.”
Haynes win the Tattersalls Cup in 2022 aboard a 52-foot lightweight flyer, also named Celestial.
He won the 2024 edition in a heavier 70-foot around-the-world warrior.
“We had conditions that suited this type of boat,” Haynes said.
“We gave ourselves a chance with the type of sailing we knew this boat was capable of doing with the crew that we have.
“It favoured the boat enormously to have those type of conditions.
“It’s an ocean-going boat and it was hard work.
“Going across Bass Strait, that was the most difficult for us, but that’s the moment we knew we were making our gains.
“We were power-reaching and that’s where we let the boat do its work.”
Haynes chartered the Volvo 70 for one race, and is unsure if he will be back to defend his title next summer.
With 29 retirements from 104 starters, the bulk of the fleet is still racing.
Most of them will finish in Hobart on Monday.
Six yachts are racing the clock to cross before midnight on New Year’s Eve.
The NSW yacht Salt Lines is only half-way across Bass Strait and is likely to ring in the New Year at sea.
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