Two men have died while participating in an annual yacht race off the WA coast.
The sailors, aged in their 60s and 70s, were taking part in the 70th Bunbury and Return Ocean Race when their yacht, Finistere, capsized off Mandurah with six people aboard.
Crew from two other yachts reached the overturned vessel and pulled five sailors from the water, including one man who died.
Another man remained missing for hours until a helicopter spotted his body and it was recovered by police.
It is not yet known what caused the yacht to capsize.
The race began at 5.30pm on Friday (WST) and the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) received a distress call just before midnight after a crew member on board activated a personal locator beacon.
The Bunbury and Return Ocean Race is organised by the Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club.
Racing was cancelled as a mark of respect, and Commodore Dean McAullay said support would be offered to family, crew and race competitors.
"Understandably, we've all taken it fairly hard," he told reporters.
"We've had counselling in the club today for a few of the staff members.
"We're feeling it."
It was too early to speculate about the incident and authorities would investigate, he said.
Rescue helicopters, water police, volunteer marine rescue crews and two other yachts from the race were involved in the extensive search for the man who was missing.
Surviving crew members were taken to shore for medical treatment.
The 15-metre yacht Finistere was about 11 nautical miles southwest of Mandurah when it raised the alarm and attempts to contact it via radio were unsuccessful.
Police are preparing a report for the coroner.
Share
