The University of New Orleans took first place in two events and finished second overall at the annual Solar Splash competition held June 8-12 in Cedar Falls, Iowa. The five-day regatta is the world championship of intercollegiate solar/electric boating. UNO was the defending national champion, having claimed the 2010 crown in Fayetteville, Ark.
UNO’s entry, Milneburg Joy, finished first in the 300-meter sprint and the solar endurance event. It also took second in the slalom event. 20 schools participated in the 2011 Solar Splash competition. The team was comprised of students from naval architecture and marine engineering and electrical engineering: Corbin Becnel, Dale Berthelot, David Givan (captain), Jace Guidry, Syed Habib and Alina Shrestha. Ryan Thiel was the team’s faculty adviser. The corporate sponsors for the 2011 boat were IEEE New Orleans Section, Solar Alternatives Inc., McDermott Inc., Nucon Corporation and Vorus & Associates.