Conditions controversial for boat race

CELINA, Ohio (WANE) - Organizers in Celina, Ohio continue to plan their annual boat race, despite the EPA recommending boats to stay off the water because of toxic algae.

But city water officials said the algae levels do meet health standards in the race area of the lake.

You rarely see an empty waterfront during the lake festival in Celina.  But that's what it looked like Saturday.

"There's by far not as many people coming to town to go boating," said Ohio resident Lucas Moyer.

Because the EPA found high levels of toxic algae in the lake, some worry it could hurt the Governor's Cup Regatta in August.

"Our question is, 'In the area where we're conducting our event, is the water acceptable for the racers and for the safety crews that we have out on the water?'" said co-chair of the Celina Governor's Cup Regatta, Allen Baskett.

Saturday morning, Baskett's boat was the only one on the lake because the EPA's recommendations.  But other officials said the EPA tested high algae levels in the scum sections of the water, not the areas where the boats will race.

"Currently the toxin levels in the open water are lower than what we maxed out at this time last year," said Mike Sudman, Celina water superintendent.

Sudman said there should be no problem for the race with the current conditions.

"With the sampling we've had here at our intake, they won't have any problem," said Sudman.

As for the people that will be racing on the lake, event organizers said most of them are still anxious to compete despite the controversial conditions.

"I've had the opportunity to speak to a few of the racers directly and their attitude is, 'We want to come to Celina,'" said Baskett.  "The least of their worries when they're going 100 mph on the water is the algae."

The Governor's Cup Regatta is scheduled for August 28 and 29, 2010.