For the past week in local Hamburg media, they have been highlighting the “unusually early” appearance of blue-green algae in Hamburg lakes; doubtless brought about by the recent heat-wave. Both the WTS/Hamburg Wasser Triathlon (world’s largest) and the Ironman take place in the city centre Alster lakes. The issue with the Inner Alster is that it’s small, so it’s harder for the algae to disperse. Both events start in the inner lake and transit into the larger ‘outer’ lake.
It will be interesting to see what happens with the WTS events this weekend, particularly as its title sponsor is the Hamburg Water Authority. The Ironman takes place on 28 July, after a spell of forecast cooler weather and some rain; however I get the feeling the Ironman is more likely to be affected, as it’s not as engaged with the local authorities to the same extent. Last year the swim was cancelled due to the algae. I can’t help feeling another ‘Powerman’ Hamburg is going to be a big nail in its coffin (would you enter next year?). Hamburg is a port city, so a lot of alternative options for the swim.
For the past week in local Hamburg media, they have been highlighting the “unusually early” appearance of blue-green algae in Hamburg lakes; doubtless brought about by the recent heat-wave. Both the WTS/Hamburg Wasser Triathlon (world’s largest) and the Ironman take place in the city centre Alster lakes. The issue with the Inner Alster is that it’s small, so it’s harder for the algae to disperse. Both events start in the inner lake and transit into the larger ‘outer’ lake.
It will be interesting to see what happens with the WTS events this weekend, particularly as its title sponsor is the Hamburg Water Authority. The Ironman takes place on 28 July, after a spell of forecast cooler weather and some rain; however I get the feeling the Ironman is more likely to be affected, as it’s not as engaged with the local authorities to the same extent. Last year the swim was cancelled due to the algae. I can’t help feeling another ‘Powerman’ Hamburg is going to be a big nail in its coffin (would you enter next year?). Hamburg is a port city, so a lot of alternative options for the swim.
We’ll have to wait and see, the ITU’s water quality rules are a bit stricter this year because of updates to the Event Organizer’s manual in terms of visual inspection, but we’ll have to see this weekend. Not sure what municipal rules are like over there, but I’ve seen some race venues do a mid week combing for algae to ensure that races can go ahead…
