Two sailors died after a yacht competing in an organized race capsized off the southwest coast of Western Australia.

Race officials on Saturday said the yacht Finistere was taking part in the 70th Bunbury and Return Ocean Race and had six people aboard when it overturned off Mandurah, south of the state capital Perth.

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority said it received a distress call just before midnight Friday. A rescue helicopter arrived at the overturned vessel at the same time as two other yachts.

Crew from those yachts pulled five people from the water, including a sailor who had died.

A sixth person remained missing, but a body was spotted by a helicopter on Saturday afternoon and recovered by police.

The Bunbury and Return Ocean race is organized by the Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club in Perth. The race has been cancelled.

There was no immediate indication as to what caused the 15-meter yacht to capsize.

(Source: AP)