Andrew Short and Sally Gordon, lost to the sea off Flinders Islet.
By Peter Andrews.
16:30 AEDT Saturday October 10, 2009.
Police have released the names of the two people who died in the early hours of this morning, when the 24.4 metre yacht PriceWaterhouseCoopers hit Flinders Island, just a couple of kilometres offshore from Wollongong.
Well known and highly respected within the Australian boating community, the yacht’s skipper Andrew Short, 48, and Sally Gordon, 47, were unable to be revived when they were pulled unconscious from the water after this mornings accident. Both were highly experienced sailors, each with their own impressive list of achievements in sailing.
Police this afternoon confirmed that despite being cold and overcast overnight, the sea conditions were not considered to be extreme. The investigation into how the yacht ran aground continues, as Water Police continue salvaging what remains of the yacht at Flinders Island.
Matt Allen, Commodore of the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia said this afternoon "The loss of these two sailors is a huge blow to the boating community and messages of condolence have been sent from around the world."
"Both Mr Short and Ms Gordon were highly-experienced and respected, with both having completed 15 Sydney-to-Hobart races," said Allen.
Like the Police, Allen added that: "conditions at the time were benign and it is a mystery why the yacht ran aground."
Water Police commander Mark Hutchings shares Allen’s enigma. "Obviously it was cold, the swell is up." But these conditions were nothing compared with the harsh conditions these yachts are designed to handle. "I believe they normally do the southern ocean, so it certainly wasn't out of their capabilities," he added.
The remaining sixteen crew were rescued and taken to Wollongong Hospital where they were treated for a range of injuries including shock and hypothermia and all have since been discharged.
