Organizers said Friday that two Sydney to Hobart sailors have died at sea amid wild weather conditions that forced line honors favorite Master Lock Comanche to withdraw among mass retirements.

Two sailors have died in separate incidents in the treacherous Sydney to Hobart bluewater classic, organisers said Friday, while race favourite Comanche was forced to retire.

A "sombre" LawConnect has delayed celebrations after claiming back-to-back line honour wins in a Sydney to Hobart race marred by the death of two sailors.  The Christian Beck-skippered supermaxi was first across the River Derwent finish line at 2.