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The Paradise team from Puerto Rico preparing to depart from Victoria
Square. |
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It was good to see Helios from France after their steering failures.
Ongoing woes with their front suspension used up their
entire complement of Michelin solar tyres by the time they had reached
Alice Springs. |
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Another team suffering steering and suspension failure, Southern Cross
College (Queensland), cross the finish line. Southern Cross were stranded
at Port Augusta awaiting spares when we made our stop on Monday. |
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Sungroper navigates past the Queen Victoria fountain. |
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Safely ensconced in the trailer prior to removal to secure storage at
ETSA Park |
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Queens University preparing Gemini for shipment back to Canada. |
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The TARDIS Mk II - Adelaide's uber-cool public conveniences. Sadly they
lack an internet connection. |
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The super-sleek Gemini - this two seater weighs in at ~430kg including
crew. |
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Gemini employs a sophisticated jacking system that enables the vehicle
to be easily raised at either end. |
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Two fully autonomous organic vehicle levitation devices insert themselves
under the vehicle. They employ revolutionary technology to enable them
to be extended asynchronously or can operate synchronously via simple
verbal command. |
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Further development is likely to be required to enable
sustained use of the technology. |
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Kirenjaku are also using Victoria Square to prepare their solar car for
return home. |
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A crowd begins to gather for the expected arrival of Detlef and his car
Heliodet 6. Team Heliodet is one of only two teams (the other is Aurora)
that has contested every World Solar Challenge. Whilst Aurora has enjoyed
significant success, this is the first time that Detlef has completed the
full course. |
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How did HE get the mike? Onno spruiks to gain additional support for
Detlef from passersby. The master of ceremonies was found alive and unharmed. |
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The crowd begins to swell as Detlef is now just minutes away. |
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The headlights of Detlef's lead support vehicle at the next
intersection heralds his imminent arrival. |
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The excitement builds as Heliodet 6 enters the square. |
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A carnival atmosphere erupts as Detlef crosses the finish line for the
first time. |
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Detlef is mobbed immediately he leaves his solar car. |
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Dubbed "the suitcase man", Detlef is renowned for his spartan approach
to solar car design. |
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An emotional Detlef receives a hug from one of his supporters. |
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Let the champagne flow. |
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The t-shirt says it all. |
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It seems that Detlef, who came in dead last, has attracted a bigger welcome
than first placed Nuna II. |
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Nuon's Dr Wubbo Ockels, the famous Dutch astronaut, congratulates Detlef
on his achievement. |
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Detlef phones home with news of his success. |
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The media are eager to talk to Detlef. Onno does a fair
job of getting his face in the frame too. |
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The WSC reception was held in the Adelaide Town Hall, a grand building
less than a block from the finish line. |
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An Aboriginal dance troupe provided an intriguing opening performance. |
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Event Director Chris Selwood addresses a packed auditorium. |
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Did we really do that that? |
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The Hon. Jane Lomax-Smith MLA congratulates the World Solar Challengers. |
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This year's World Solar Challenge included a demonstration GreenFleet
class. |
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Detlef received
a standing ovation from the entire audience during the participation
awards to all team managers. |
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Chris Selwood explains the play on words used for our team name "Sungroper".
Many people simply called us the Sandgroper team. |
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Sungroper, along with all other teams, received a handsome participation
award. It doesn't look quite so out of focus in real life (I think). |
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A number of minor awards were presented, including "Spirit of the
Event"
which was awarded to Heliodet. |
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MIT receives their Third Place award from the Hon. Jane Lomax-Smith MLA. |
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Aurora came in second place. Much of their team had already left Adelaide
due to sponsorship commitments. |
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The first placed Nuon team hold the World Solar Challenge tropy aloft. |
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Nuon's team manager, Diederik Kinds, thanks his team for their efforts
in achieving World Solar Challenge success. |
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Dr Wubbo Ockels gave an acceptance speech and acknowledged the team's
sponsors. |
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The World Solar Challenge trophy is finally in the hands of its rightful
owners. |
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A crazed Dutch bishop tries in vain to wrench the trophy from Sungroper's
grasp. |
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After the awards ceremony the show adjourned around the corner to the
Planet Nightclub, however the customary swapping of team shirts had already
been in swing for many hours with Sungroper shirts the most eagerly sought
after. |