A yachting veteran who has sailed in two deadly Sydney to Hobart races says the event's safety standards are the highest in the world and competitors accept the risks.
Roy Quaden and Nick Smith were killed on the opening night of the 2024 edition when they were hit with onboard equipment on separate yachts in windy weather on yachts Flying Fish Arctos and Bowline respectively.
They were the first deaths in the 628 nautical mile race since six sailors perished in the 1998 edition, prompting widespread safety reforms.
Justin Clougher, who has competed in more than a dozen Sydney to Hobarts and won the America's Cup, was on Sayonara when it won line honours in 1998.
He was fourth past the post this year on NSW yacht Whisper.
"I can’t express words for the sadness of the loss of two lives in this race, but we all accept the risks in a race like this and the challenges that appear from time to time," he said.
The Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, the race organiser, has pledged a review focusing on the incidents.
Police are also investigating the deaths, which occurred off the NSW south coast, and will prepare a report for the coroner which could trigger an inquiry.
Cruising Yacht Club of Australia (CYCA) vice-commodore David Jacobs said the winds of 35-40 knots were in line with the pre-race forecast.
Jacobs said a suite of safety protocols were in place which would have evaporated had the race been cancelled, and final decisions about whether to sail were in the hands of skippers.
"Like all others, we (on Whisper) were cognisant of the conditions before we left and racing became a fine line - a bit on the edge - you have to make judgement calls and sail safely," Clougher said.
"This race has the highest safety standards and we appreciate that.
"We’ve been through the 1998 race and there is no blame to be held in that race, or this one.
"The Sydney-Hobart is a category one race and the CYCA has the highest safety standards in the world. And they work hard to maintain them and make the race as safe as is possible.
“But things can happen and you can’t stop them: earthquakes, floods, fires, cyclones.
"You can plan and put things in place all you like, but you can’t stop some things, especially in extreme sports."
Celebrations were muted when supermaxi LawConnect claimed back-to-back line honours wins under darkness in the early hours of Saturday.
Skipper of overall winner Celestial V70, Sam Haynes, paid tribute to Quaden and Smith.
Dozens of boats crossed the River Derwent finish line in a flurry of action on Monday, with 13 remaining at sea at 3pm.
There have been 30 retirements overall after tough early sailing, with crews citing a range of problems including damage, injury and electrical issues.
