Blue algae prevent Audi boat race
- Health risks from contaminated water
- Presentation of boats and teams will take place as planned
- “1st Audi Dutzendteich Challenge” postponed to Zandvoort
The boat race of the Audi DTM stars scheduled to take place on the Dutzendteich lake in Nuremberg on Friday had to be cancelled. The Nuremberg public health authorities imposed a general bathing ban on the “Große Dutzendteich” which is immediately adjacent to the Norisring paddock. The enormous heat in recent weeks has promoted the generation of poisonous blue algae (cyanophyta) which may release so-called cyano-toxins. Contact with or swallowing of the water could trigger health problems such as nausea, vomiting or allergic reactions.
Since the planned race with “home-made” paper boats harbours the risk of capsizing, Audi – in coordination with team doctor Christian John – decided to cancel the boat race at short notice. “The risk of one of our drivers getting sick is simply too big,” commented the doctor.
The funny race which had attracted a lot of attention even prior to the event is now planned to be held as part of the DTM round at Zandvoort on the Dutch North Sea coast (1 to 3 September). The presentation of the ten boating teams will take place tonight in front of Audi’s Team & Media Hospitality at 8 p.m. as planned. A jury will be evaluating the creativity of the home-made constructions crafted by the mechanics of the Audi teams. This evaluation will be used for the starting order at Zandvoort. The boats will be photographed and may not be changed any more before the race in September.