Algae Trouble For Olympic Sailors in Beijing

It seems the biggest challenges facing Olympians this summer aren’t the competitions themselves, but the environmental conditions in Beijing. There’s the terrible air pollution, the weather manipulation, and now there’s something else to add to that list… an endless sea of green algae.

Olympic sailors knew they were in for a tough time in the waters off Beijing. Known for low wind speeds, high water currents, and debilitating fog, Qingdao is a difficult setting for a race on a normal day. But it could prove to be even tougher territory if workers are unable to clear the worst green algae bloom in memory from the 19 square miles needed for the race.

From the article on CNN…

“We almost think of it as land,” said Carrie Howe, a member of the U.S. team and her three-person squad’s unofficial algae remover. During practice, she dips her hand into the goo three or four times an hour to remove it from the rudder.

Known (not affectionately) as “the blob” or “the dog,” the algae presents another variable in the sailing competition – a sticky green one. The cause of the massive algae bloom (which stretches miles long) is unknown, but some think it’s another undesirable affect of pollution in the area. China’s East Coast is highly industrial and there’s little doubt this affects surrounding waters.

But what will the affect be on Olympic sailors this summer?

“We’ve watched the Dutch Yngling team, coach boat and three boats in tow get stuck so badly they had to be hooked and hauled out by a local fishing trawler,” U.S. sailor Andrew Campbell wrote in his blog last week.

Chinese workers and volunteers are attempting to get it cleaned up before the games start next week.

Already, 170 tons have been cleared away, said Zang Aimin, an executive board member of the Beijing Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games.

“As far as protecting the competition area, I’m confident we can do it,” she said, adding that Navy dredging boats were on the way.

We shall see I suppose. One thing is for sure, though – the Chinese are working hard (and have been working hard) to ensure Olympians and visitors feel welcome in Beijing. Even if it means swimming in the sea to haul out a blooming green blob.