Sailors killed in double Sydney to Hobart tragedy named ahead of ‘challenging night in the Bass Strait’

Two sailors on separate Sydney to Hobart yachts, Flying Fish Arctos and Bowline, have died at sea on the first night of the race. They were fatally struck by a boom – a large horizontal pole at the bottom of the mainsail – and mainsheet on their respective boats amid wild weather conditions that forced line honours favourite Master Lock Comanche to withdraw, among mass retirements.The incident aboard Flying Fish Arctos occurred about 30 nautical miles [55.5kms] east-south-east of Ulladulla on the NSW south coast, with the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (Amsa) receiving a mayday call just before midnight.Roy Quaden, a 55-year-old crew member from Western Australia, was struck in the back of the head by the boom

NFL playoff race: Vikings host Packers in potential NFC postseason preview

Green Bay Packers (11-4) v Minnesota Vikings (13-2) The scheduling gods have flexed their muscles and pushed another potential warm-up for the postseason into the choice late-afternoon slot. We have a late festive feast in Green Bay heading to Minnesota, in favor of a damp squib between Philadelphia and Dallas, for what could turn out to be the NFC Championship Game. The Packers are fresh from locking their playoff place with a thrashing of the Saints while the Vikings are gunning for an incredible ninth win in succession. Unfortunately for Matt LaFleur’s team they cannot reach any higher than third in the NFC North as the Lions also sit on 13-2, but this presents a perfect chance to practice playing on the road against a high-caliber rival. Minnesota meanwhile are neck and neck with Detroit for the No 1 seed and will be aiming for a crucial victory – one that could set up a shoot-out for the first-round bye next week against the Lions

Cummins conjures special delivery as Australia heap pressure on India

Batters have signature shots. That’s a given. Certain shapes or sequences of shapes that you associate with that player forever. The Ricky Ponting pull, the Brian Lara follow-through over the shoulder, fill your own list. It is much rarer for bowlers to have ­signature dismissals

Chess: Carlsen targets Rapid and Blitz gold on Wall Street this weekend

Magnus Carlsen, the world No 1, began badly on Wall Street this weekend as the Norwegian, 34, defends his World Rapid and Blitz crowns in New York against a host of ambitious US and international challengers.Carlsen had only a 50% score, 2.5/5, after a series of draws and a fifth-round defeat. His only win so far was in round two, where he overwhelmed his Montenegrin opponent.After five of the 13 rounds, the leading quartet on 4

Boxing Day Test 2024: Australia vs India fourth men’s cricket Test, day two – live updates

That’s it from me, I can hear my ‘threenager’ rousing and so will dash off with India licking their wounds and Australia counting their runs and wickets. Thanks for your company, goodbye!Here’s the report from Day Two at the MCG:Phew. What a frenetic end to the final session. India were going along nicely with Jaiswal and Kohli, the century partenrship freshly notched before the former ran himself out and the latter nicked off to Scott Boland just minutes later. Akash Deep couldn’t do his job as a nightwatchman and India were left clinging on at the close after losing three wickets for 13 runs – albeit Jadeja clipped the last ball of the day for four off Mitchell Starc

Constitution Hill’s thrilling comeback has him on course for Champion Hurdle

The delight and relief that swirled around Constitution Hill as he extended his unbeaten record to nine starts here on Thursday was expressed in various ways. Nicky Henderson, his trainer, was teary, the punters who sent him off favourite were jubilant and Nico de Boinville, the winner’s jockey, was rounding on the critics.“It was definitely worth the wait,” he told an ITV racing reporter shortly after their handing only a second career defeat to the excellent mare Lossiemouth. “And one more thing. Paddy Brennan, you can shove that where the sun don’t shine