Two sailors on separate boats have been killed in boom accidents two hours apart on a storm-ravaged first night of the annual Sydney to Hobart race, adding to the event’s long history of deaths at sea.

LawConnect, which won line honours last year, was first past the turning mark in Australia’s premier yachting event but ran into sail issues.

Two sailors have been killed in separate incidents in the treacherous Sydney to Hobart bluewater classic, organisers said Friday, a day after the race began with gale-force winds and high seas forecast.