January/February 2008

Sink or Swim

Four MIT student teams raced vessels, which they had constructed, in the Head of the Zesiger regatta in October.

By TR Editors

At the inaugural Head of the Zesiger regatta in October, four MIT student teams raced vessels that they had constructed using corrugated cardboard, paper tape, and caulking (no plastic, duct tape, or styrofoam allowed). The crew of the Black Pearl (juniors Gavin Cotter, Stephen Fournier, and Alan Foreman) completed the 100-meter course in 3:32.08 in the first heat and was named most spirited, but the boat sank in the finals (top). Seniors Rebecca Oman, Chensi Ouyang, and Ellann Cohen navigated the course in 1:58.47; their boat, Ship Happens, won awards for fastest, best-looking, and best technical construction.

Photos by Donna Coveney/MIT