Hydro races cancelled: 'It's not safe' from woody debris on Lake Chelan

Norm Evans Apple Cup Regatta hydro. Photo courtesy: Digital Roostertails / Chris Denslow.

The Norm Evans Apple Cup Regatta hydro races on Lake Chelan this weekend have been cancelled. Woody debris in the lake is the concern.

"It is not safe, there's just way too much driftwood and we dare not put our people out for that," said Pacific Northwest Boat Racing Association “Voice of Hydro” Jim Olsen on Wednesday.

The cancellation of the event signals a natural impact to the local economy.

"Here's the first casualty of the impact of this woody debris," Chelan Mayor Erin McCardle said on KOZI Community Connection Wednesday morning.

"Even just the clean-up of it (woody debris) is an added cost, specifically for our parks department for the marina and our beaches," noted Chelan City Administrator Laura McAloon. "There will be an economic impact from the races not being held. Our local businesses relay on that."

Olsen told KOZI that it's safety first in hydro racing.

"Not only do you have the safety of the driver, but the safety of people onshore," said Olsen. "There is an element of risk, we know that, it's inherent, but we do everything to mitigate that as much as we can."

"When we come back we want to do it better," added Olsen.

As many as 30 vintage inboard-only hydroplanes put on an exhibition June 13-14 on the Columbia River at Entiat. The Richland Regatta is planned for June 27-28.

Manson Hydro Fest is Sept 26-27, and the vintage Mahogany Merlot event on Lake Chelan is Oct. 2-4.