Memorial held for sailors Nick Smith and Roy Quaden, who died in Sydney to Hobart race
In short:
A memorial service has been held on the Hobart waterfront in memory of two sailors who died in the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race.
Nick Smith, 65, and Roy Quaden, 55, were remembered as embracing "the spirit and camaraderie" of sailing.
What's next?
A report on their deaths will be prepared for the coroner.
Family members have embraced at a memorial service on the Hobart waterfront, held in memory of two sailors who died while competing in this year's Sydney to Hobart yacht race.
South Australian Nick Smith, 65, and Western Australian Roy Quaden, 55, died in separate incidents off the New South Wales south coast in the early hours of Friday morning.
Fellow sailors and family members attended the memorial service. (ABC News: Maren Preuss)
A crowd gathered at Constitution Dock on Tuesday morning, where wreaths were laid and a minute's silence was held.
Cruising Yacht Club of Australia (CYCA) Commodore Sam Haynes said the two men were cherished members of the sailing community.
"Both men embrace the spirit of adventure and camaraderie that defines our sport," he told those gathered.
"We extend our deepest condolences to Nick's son and daughter, Roy's wife and two daughters, their extended families, their friends, their fellow crew members, and all those in our sailing community who feel this profound loss."
The two men were experienced sailors who had completed the event multiple times.
Nick Smith, 65, was competing in his fifth Sydney to Hobart yacht race. (Supplied: CYCA)
Roy Quaden, 55, was competing in his 14th Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race. (Supplied)
Mr Smith was competing in his fifth Sydney to Hobart, and was a crew member onboard Bowline.
The yacht was 30 nautical miles (55 kilometres) off the coast of Batemans Bay when he was struck by the main sheet.
Mr Quaden was a crew member onboard Flying Fish Arctos, which was 30 nautical miles off Ulladulla when he was struck by the yacht's sailing boom.
A report on the deaths will be prepared for the coroner, and the CYCA says it will review the event.
A crowd gathered at Constitution Dock on Tuesday morning. (ABC News: Maren Preuss)
'He was a mate'
Stuart Johnson, who skippered the South Australian yacht Audacious in this year's race, said Mr Smith was well respected within the Royal South Australian Yacht Squadron club.
"He was a mate, always such a happy smiling face," Mr Johnson said.
"He'll be missed in the sailing community — he was a lovely guy.
"There's a lot of other SA boats here … he's well respected in our community in South Australia and our club, and there's a lot of people here today that are upset."
Mourners gathered along the waterfront to remember the two men. (ABC News: Maren Preuss)
Weather conditions were 'as expected'
Dr Haynes told ABC Radio Hobart the weather conditions in the race were as forecast.
Roy Quaden was onboard Flying Fish Arctos.
"It's probably one of the tougher races, but not unexpected," he said.
"Up at the New South Wales coast was definitely very windy from the north, hard conditions to manage boats in.
"For these two incidents, we won't really know until the police investigation has been conducted, and in due course, race management and the club will conduct a review."
Nick Smith was onboard Bowline when he was hit by the yacht's sailing boom. (Supplied: Richard Bennett)
They were the first deaths in the event since 1998, when six sailors died, and 55 had to be rescued.
This year's event also saw the dramatic rescue of sailor Luke Watkins, who was swept overboard from the yacht Porco Rosso in the early hours of the morning, spending about half an hour in the ocean before he was rescued.
The memorial service was held on the Hobart waterfront. (ABC News: Maren Preuss)