Brazilian Sailors Not Distracted By Guanabara Bay Challenges

(ATR) The water quality of Guanabara Bay does not cross the mind of the Olympic host country’s sailing delegation.

Members of the Brazilian sailing team spoke to Around the Rings to discuss their excitement for the upcoming Olympic Games, their stance on the water quality in Guanabara Bay, and the expectations the team carries going into the first South American Olympics.

Two main concerns have gripped preparations of the Marina da Gloria and Guanabara Bay for the Olympics: the amount of sewage flowing into the bay and the potential for floating debris to disrupt competition. Organizers have already conceded that the target of treating 80 percent of sewage floating into the bay will not be met, but have maintained that the water quality remains within standards set forth by the World Health Organization.

The sailors were optimistic about the Games, and think that organizers will handle the issue of floating debris in Guanabara Bay quite well.

"I think [water quality] is an issue that we’ve talked almost too much of, it hasn’t been changed much so we are not focusing on it right now," Martine Grael, of the 49er FX class, said to ATR. "I think the venue is ready and there wasn’t much to do because the race courses were always there."

Grael’s partner Kahena Kunze told ATR that there was nothing else to say about the water in the Bay that has not already been said before, and it was not in the back of sailors mind’s when training. Kunze preferred to speak about the "once in a lifetime opportunity," that sailing in the heart of Rio de Janeiro offered the team.

"I think sailing in our home town is very special, and we are incredibly happy to take part," Kunze added.

In Rio both Grael and Kunze will be going for their first Olympic medals, hoping to add to their 2014 World Championship gold. Grael is the daughter of Brazilian team coordinator and five-time Olympic medalist Torben Grael, who told ATR that there is no advantage for the home team when it comes to sailing in Guanabara Bay.

"The best team in London was not the British team, so in the same way, it is not right to say we have an advantage by sailing in Rio," Grael said to ATR. "We have a lot of currents, waves, and a lot of mountains around the bay, and that makes for a very interesting place to sail. It is very challenging and very unpredictable for the sailing."

As team coordinator and coach Grael says he is not under any more pressure to ensure that his team succeeds compared to previous Olympics. He said that during the games "there is always a lot of pressure," on the Brazilian sailing team as they need to stand out from other more popular sports in Brazil.

Soon to be six-time Olympian Robert Scheidt, of the Laser class, told ATR the only reason he is still competing in sailing events at age 43 was to continue his career long enough to take part in the 2016 Olympics in his home country. He said the experience will be a "very special Olympics for all Brazilian athletes," and said it probably will be an event that no current athlete experiences twice.

Scheidt said he has been sailing in Guanabara Bay for over 20 years, so the water quality clearly is not an issue, but hopes that the weather cooperates so that debris does not impact racing.

"In the moments where we have a lot of rain which is in the summer we have certainly more floating objects and that can be frustrating at times," Scheidt said to ATR. "I think we had a great success last year in the test event, so I expect the same will happen this year on a larger scale and we will not have these objects on the water."

Heading to Rio Scheidt has five Olympic medals, and is looking to become the most decorated Brazilian Olympian by winning one more.

Isabel Swan, of the newly added NACRA 17 class, told ATR the Rio Games offers an opportunity to grow sailing in South America because of the lesser travel costs needed for sailors to train in Brazil. She called the upcoming Olympics "an opportunity to showcase the best of Brazil," while acknowledging the opportunity other South American athletes have.

"This is a good chance to show the best here, and to change the image of Brazil, giving our country a good image," Swan said. "I think we are ready and it will be a really nice Games and we will deliver it better than expected. I am sure Brazil will embrace them, and the Olympic values will be strong during the Games."

The NACRA 17 race features mixed crews, for which Swan, a bronze medalist at the 2008 Games, says is a chance to showcase the equality in sailing and allow more spots in the Games. She believes that there will be no issues with debris in the Bay, although she and her partner are preparing to quickly remove debris from the craft’s rudder if the racing courses were to become obstructed.

"We need to be prepared for everything so we are training and if we have this situation we will try to avoid it as fast as we can," Swan said. "I hope it won’t happen, but I believe that Rio 2016 is doing a good job to avoid any problems."

Written by Aaron Bauer in Rio de Janeiro

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