2009 Photos

2009 Final scoring and results

Larger versions of the images on this page and the photo albums are available from webmaster@solarsplash.com.

Scott Miller, the official 2009 photographer, took most of the photos on this page, and he has many more on his Zenfolio gallery:

Scott Miller's Solar Splash 2009 photo album

David Luneau photo album (118 photos)

Laurie Dann photo album (74 photos)

Video page

 
Sunday, May 31, 2009
University of New Orleans winning the Sprint finals

The Sprint Event format was slightly different this year - all teams had the opportunity to run three times, with the three fastest boats from the first two rounds running in the finals. The University of New Orleans recaptured the Sprint title in impressive fashion, turning in three sprints times under 23 seconds and running a record 22.32 seconds in the final. Cedarville University finished second in 26.00 seconds, and The College of New Jersey finished third in 27.10 seconds.

Cedarville repeated (again) as World Champions!

 Cedarville University in the Sprint finals
Carnegie Mellon (10) and North Florida (19) in the Sprint event The Cedarville University team - World Champions again Kansas State - Salina in the Sprint event
 
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Kansas State - Salina in the Endurance Event

The Endurance Event was held under clear skies and temperatures in the 80s. The University of New Orleans bested the field, with Cedarville and Washington State University finishing second and third, respectively.

 Elizabethtown in the Endurance Event
Technologico de Monterrey in the Endurance Event Middle Tennessee State in the Endurance Event The University of Arkansas (3) and the University of North Florida in the Endurance Event.
 
Friday, May 29, 2009
Cedarville University and The College of New Jersey battle it out in a Sprint heat

Qualifying ended in the morning, and the first round of sprint heats were held in the afternoon. The skies were sunny and clear and the boats were very fast!

 The University of Northern Iowa in a Sprint heat
Geneva College and the University of Southampton in a Sprint heat Carnegie Mellon University in a Sprint heat The University of North Florida in a Sprint heat
 
Thursday, May 28, 2009
The Middle Tennessee State boat undergoing electrical inspection

After completing technical inspections, boats got on the water for the Sprint and Endurance qualifying events as well as the Slalom event. Also, the first points were posted - for Technical Reports - with Elizabethtown College, PA, received the award for Best Technical Report.

 The SUNY-Stony Brook boat at the dock
The Washington State boat at the launch ramp The University of New Orleans in the Sprint qualifying event The Cedarville boat in the Slalom event
 
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Geneva College unloading their boat

Teams arrived today, registered, unpacked, and began putting the finishing touches on their boats. Technical inspections of the boats also got underway. Skippers proved their swimming abilities in a swim test, won by Dirk de Jager of the University of Southampton, United Kingdom.

 Solar array in place for charging batteries
Students working on their boat University of Arkansas students working on their boat (with some faculty supervision) University of Southampton (United Kingdom) students working on their boat
 
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Tents for the paddock area

Preparations are underway for the 16th annual Solar Splash event. The weather forecast for the week looks fabulous, with sunny days and little chance of rain predicted for Thursday through Sunday.

Notice the trees in the background - the tops of most trees in north Arkansas were damaged by a winter ice storm. »

 The Solar Splash site - note the tree damage from a winter ice storm
 
Monday, May 25, 2009

George Ettenheim

Two people instrumental in starting and continuing Solar Splash over the years are no longer with us. George Ettenheim (left, 1934-2006) and Bob Reid (right, 1942-2009) envisioned the event in 1993. Their legacy carries on each year as Solar Splash provides competition and engineering experiences for hundreds of students.

 Bob Reid