DRHS 11th in Field of 40 in Solar Boat Race

finished 11th in a solar-powered race at Lake Skinner near Temecula last weekend.

The race, called the “,” started Saturday and ended Sunday and included two phases: a 1-mile endurance race when students raced at slow speeds using the sun to power their crafts, and a 200-meter sprint during which students used solar energy they stored in a battery the day before.

The team earned 778 points: 62 for its technical report, 220 for its visual display, 31 during qualifications, 290 during the endurance race and 173 during the sprint.

Savanna High School of Anaheim took first place, Long Beach Poly High took second, and Anaheim’s Canyon High won third.

Forty schools competed in the games, which challenged students to build single-person skiffs powered only by solar energy, said Bob Muir, a spokesperson for the Metropolitan Water District, which sponsored the event.

Since 2002, 7,500 students participated in the solar boat races, a water district official said.

Walnut High School also competed in the weekend race and .