A sailor has died during a yacht race at Port Lincoln on South Australia's Eyre Peninsula.

Emergency crews were called to the South Quay Boulevard boat ramp after a man fell from a sailing boat and was pulled unconscious from the water at about 11am.

The man could not be revived.

In a statement, Lincoln Week Regatta chairman Steven Kemp said a competition sailor had died during the event.

"In the incident, the sailor was injured and fell from the yacht into the water, triggering a rapid response from the crew and race management to recover [him] as quickly as possible," he said.

"The sailor was attended to by crew from the yacht, who entered the water to support the sailor.

"A may-day radio call from the yacht was received by race management and a nearby sailing club powerboat was dispatched to recover the sailors in the water."

Mr Kemp said once the sailor was on the rescue boat, CPR was administered while the vessel travelled back to the marina.

"A defibrillator was also used while travelling back to the marina," he said.

He said paramedics met the boat at the marina, but the man could not be saved.

"The Port Lincoln Yacht Club is deeply saddened by this news and is offering every possible support to our sailors, the crew and yacht involved," Mr Kemp said.

"We offer our deepest condolences to the family of the sailor at this difficult time."

The race was part of Lincoln Week Regatta, which is being run alongside the Australian Yachting Championships.

Police are preparing a report for the coroner.