Two Irishmen among missing after US race yacht crash

Two Irishmen are among four sailors still missing in the Pacific Ocean after their yacht was thrown onto rocks during a yacht race in San Francisco on Saturday.

One sailor died in the accident, which occurred near the Farallon Islands in choppy waters some 43km west of the Golden Gate bridge on Saturday afternoon local time.

The US coastguard and national guard are continuing their search for the missing sailors. Three other crew members were rescued from the rocks after the boat — the Low Speed Chase — ran aground.

It is understood that the missing sailors, including two men from Cork, were wearing life vests and cold-weather gear, and rescuers hope this will improve their chances of surviving in the ocean.

“We wouldn’t have all the assets we have out there now if we weren’t hopeful,” said coastguard petty officer Levi Read.

The 38-foot Sydney racing craft was competing in the Full Crew Farallones race, held annually since 1907 and sponsored by the San Francisco Yacht Club.

The death is thought to be the first fatality in the club’s 143-year history.

It is understood that the boat was struck by a large wave that washed five crew members overboard. The remaining three on board had turned the boat around to rescue their crewmates when another wave slammed the boat onto the rocks on the northeast corner of the Farallon Islands.

The three sailors on board managed to climb onto the rocks, where a coastguard helicopter rescued them.

One suffered a broken leg, while the other two suffered severe bruising.

A spokesperson for the Department of Foreign Affairs said they were aware of the incident and the Irish consulate in San Francisco is liaising with the coastguard.

Speaking to the San Francisco Chronicle, San Francisco Yacht Club director Ed Lynch said the race conditions were rough, but typical for that time of the year.

“These were all very experienced sailors,” he said. “Anybody that’s doing this race would have years of experience. It’s inherently dangerous and they were well aware of the risks. It’s a tragedy of unbelievable proportions. It doesn’t affect just this club, it affects everyone. We’re all deeply saddened.”

The Farallon Islands are a series of uninhabited rocky outcroppings sometimes visible from San Francisco. Part of a wildlife reserve, they are closed to the public.