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Drive systems vary. Cedarville University of Ohio continues to improve their "surface piercing prop" propulsion system. Like USC, the entire aft portion moves for steering.
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Marquette University from Milwaukee is now running the 9th boat they have created over the past 10 years. Their trailer allows them plenty of dry workspace any time they go out testing or competing.
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The University of California at Santa Barbara chose a radical approach this year. Unfortunately, it proved to be rather flawed with the lateral center of gravity much too far aft.
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The skipper of the University of Maryland, Baltimore County boat waits while Coast Guard is launching on the far side. This view shows the long clean lines of the hull and a skeg, which aids in steering, just above the head of the UMBC skipper.
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Another rookie team was Rice University. The horizontally mounted steering wheel worked well until the rudder snapped off in a sharp, powered turn in the Solar Slalom.
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The Sprints are run without the solar panels as they only take less than a minute to sprint 300 meters. The double elimination format, gives everyone at least two chances to compete. Coming off the start line, one of the safety patrol boats starts a futile chase…the competitors are much faster.
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In a later heat, we see Marquette shortly after starting, rising out of the water on its hydrofoils. At this point, Geneva has a lead in the far lane.
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Farther down the course, in another heat, we see Cedarville under full power and the performance of the surface piercing prop.
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Not all of the competition is on the water. Technical Reports and Visual displays are judged for points. Although many displays were excellent, the judges gave top marks to Rice. The four model test hulls and the information they produced seemed to be the winning margin. It also resulted in a 4th place overall finish.
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The boat from SUNY Stony Brook showed good workmanship and sound engineering. The yellow bags in the bow are for flotation, required in some form on all boats. Batteries and motors are strategically placed to keep the balance just right.
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The student team leader from Cal Poly Pomona brought his daughters who are taking a close look at the end product of the team's year of hard work.
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Out of the water, we can see several aspects of Geneva's stitch and glue hull made of plywood. Their drive shaft is quite far aft with a very small rudder just behind the prop. It worked quite well.
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Kansas State University, in its second year had many innovations. Given another season to make some fine adjustments, they could be one of the top teams very soon.
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Another rookie team using the same hull design as Geneva was the University at Buffalo. All smiles, as they are finishing the Parade Lap which starts one of the Endurance heats with mascot "Rocky" secure to the boat sign bracket.
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Many awards are presented over the course of the competition. Most are given out on Sunday after the end of the last event. Coast Guard came in third by only .06 points out of a possible 1000 but unfortunately made a serious early qualifying error that ended up costing them the World Championship.
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Our only High School team, Park School from Brooklandville, Maryland, received the Perseverance Award. They have competed for the past 5 years. This year, these juniors were co-team leaders.
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Part of the large volunteer corps is seen here at the Awards Ceremonies in blue shirts. They assisted in many aspects of the event from early preparation through to final clean up.
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And the World Champion is… the University of South Carolina. For the first year, we have created this permanent trophy, so USC will keep it for a year and have a smaller version to add to their many past accomplishments.
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