POSTED AT 12:00 AM ON Oct. 2, 2006 | PRINT | Email | SHARE | COMMENTS (0)

Hundreds crowded the IU Outdoor Pool Friday Afternoon to test their sailing skills by launching small homemade boats to see which craft could best endure the pool's waters.

The sixth annual Cardboard Boat Regatta event was hosted by the Council for Advancing Student Leadership. Thirty-three teams entered the event. IU students made up the majority, but there were a few high school and youth teams. The participants sailed homemade boats constructed out of cardboard and duct tape, which resulted in many contestants pulling soaking heaps of cardboard and tape to the finish line.

The council's president, senior Brett Headley, said the funds raised during the regatta will create 10 $500 scholarships that the council will give out to student leaders on campus during the Little 500 bicycle race.

Buffa Louie's, Chipotle and Bucceto's Smiling Teeth catered the regatta, and the band "Shaggy Wonda" performed, adding to the festivities.

The overcast weather proved unable to keep the crowds away. Headley expected a big turnout for the event and was pleased with the overall showing.

"We were expecting about 400 to 500 people and have about reached that number," Headley said. "It is a fun event, and the music and free food help."

Headley and CASL treasurer Chris Mills kicked off the event by attempting to sail their watermelon-colored cardboard ship across the pool. As would many other teams that followed, their boat became a victim of the water as he and Mills swam the majority of the pool length with their boat in tow as it could not make it on its own.

IU Outdoor Adventures added to its winning tradition and took home its second consecutive first place finish and the fourth top finish in sixth years.

Sophomores Pete Ippoliti and Chris Noel manned the group's winning boat in the regatta. Noel said they used the same boat that won last year's event, only making needed adjustments and repairs.

"We added duct tape where some touch-up was needed." he said. "Pete and I did not race last year, so we also needed to update the boat to fit our sizes."

Ippoliti and Noel jokingly attributed their victory to rest and strategy.

"We watched film from last year's race and put together a strategy," Ippoliti said. "Carbohydrates and a lot of sleep always helps."

Awards were also given out for creativity. A local youth team took first prize in the category, the Bloomington High School South boy's swim team took second and IU Outdoor Adventures took third.

Noel was happy to compete in the event but has not thought about plans for next year.

"It is a great time, and we are happy to compete," Noel said. "It is a little early to think about next year."

Needless to say, whoever guides the IU Outdoor Adventures boat next year will have six years of experience and success behind them. The other teams now will go back to the drawing board, and for the next 12 months brainstorm how they can replace the IU Outdoor Adventures group as the king of the cardboard boat regatta.