Australia’s iconic Sydney to Hobart yacht race has been marred by tragedy, with two participants losing their lives in separate incidents involving accidents with a boom, the horizontal pole attached to the bottom of a sail.

The incidents occurred aboard the Flying Fish Arctos and Bowline, according to race organizers. New South Wales (NSW) police reported that the first incident was brought to their attention shortly before midnight on Thursday local time (12:50 GMT). The second incident was reported just over two hours later, at 2:15 a.m. on Friday, after attempts at CPR proved unsuccessful.

The Flying Fish Arctos was approximately 30 nautical miles east/southeast of Ulladulla when the first accident occurred. The second fatality aboard the Bowline happened around 30 nautical miles east/northeast of Batemans Bay, NSW.

Organizers expressed their condolences, stating, “Our thoughts are with the crews, family, and friends of the deceased.”

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also offered his sympathies, saying, “The Sydney to Hobart is an Australian tradition, and it is heart-breaking that two lives have been lost at what should be a time of joy.”

Despite the tragedies, the race, which began on Thursday, continues. The first yachts are expected to arrive in Hobart, Tasmania, by late Friday or early Saturday, though severe weather conditions have already forced several teams to retire.

The event, first held in 1945, has faced fatalities in the past, including the devastating 1998 race when raging storms claimed six lives, among them British Olympic yachtsman Glyn Charles.

Rickey Henderson, widely regarded as one of the greatest players in Major League Baseball (MLB) history, has passed away at the age of 65. Known as “The Man of Steal,” Henderson set enduring records for stolen bases (1,406) and runs scored (2,295) during a career that spanned from 1979 to 2003.

A two-time World Series champion, Henderson played pivotal roles in the Oakland Athletics’ 1989 victory and the Toronto Blue Jays’ 1993 triumph. His career accolades include 10 All-Star selections and the 1990 American League Most Valuable Player award. Henderson was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2009.

“Rickey Henderson was the gold standard of base stealing and lead-off hitting,” MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred said. “He epitomized speed, power, and entertainment, setting the tone at the top of the lineup for multiple generations of baseball fans.”

In addition to his stolen base and runs records, Henderson’s remarkable career included a .297 batting average, 297 home runs, and 1,115 RBIs. He also holds the record for the most lead-off home runs in MLB history, with 81.

Henderson played for nine teams during his illustrious career, but he is most closely associated with the Oakland Athletics, where he had four separate stints. The Athletics issued a heartfelt statement, saying, “Rickey Henderson is one of the greatest baseball players of all time. His on-field accomplishments speak for themselves, and his records will forever stand atop baseball history. He was undoubtedly the most legendary player in Oakland history.”

Fans and players alike are mourning the loss of Henderson, whose electrifying style of play revolutionized baseball and left an indelible mark on the sport. His legacy as a dynamic force both on and off the field will continue to inspire generations of athletes and fans.

Farhad Moshiri, the outgoing owner of Everton Football Club, expressed “mixed emotions” as he reflected on his eight-year tenure following the sale of his stake to the Friedkin Group in a deal reportedly worth over £400 million.

The British-Iranian businessman’s ownership concluded on Thursday, marking the end of a tumultuous chapter for the Toffees. In an open letter to supporters, Moshiri acknowledged both the challenges and achievements of his time at the club, expressing regret over missed opportunities, particularly referencing the departure of Carlo Ancelotti.

“We brought top-class managers like Carlo Ancelotti to the club, and who knows where we might have been had he not been lured back to Real Madrid,” Moshiri wrote.

During his tenure, Everton endured a series of difficulties, including managerial changes, strained fan relations, relegation battles, financial instability, and even a points deduction by the Premier League. Despite these struggles, Moshiri highlighted his contributions to modernizing the club’s infrastructure, including significant investments in a state-of-the-art training ground and the construction of Everton’s new “iconic stadium.”

“Leaving Everton with a stadium for all Evertonians and the wider community to enjoy for decades is something I feel real pride in,” he stated.

While acknowledging that on-field results “frankly haven’t been good enough,” Moshiri emphasized efforts to keep ticket prices among the most affordable in the Premier League, even as he personally bore the financial burdens of modernizing the club.

Fan groups have welcomed the sale with optimism, viewing it as a fresh start after a chaotic period. The Friedkin Group’s acquisition is seen as a potential turning point for Everton, which now looks to rebuild and stabilize both on and off the pitch.