CELINA, OHIO -
This year's hot Summer drought has killed many yards and hurt several businesses, and now it's putting a damper on Celina's Governor's Cup Regatta.
Following last year's success with the championship hydro boat races at Grand Lake, this year the Governor's Cup Regatta Committee has decided to cancel the event. Due to a lack of rain, water levels are low, too low to risk the safety of the racers. While the water levels are high enough for casual boating, hydro boating has too many risks that could lead to serious injuries or even death.
Officials are worried that if the races were held, and a boat did flip on it top during an accident, the driver would be trapped. When water is deep, drivers pop the top hatch and swim down, something that is not possible if the boat sits just inches off of the bottom of the lake.
Similar to the incident in 2010 when the races were canceled, committee members are looking for other possible events that can be held in place of the races. Set to meet later this week, committee members will look to inform the public on their decision as soon as possible.
