STUDENTS will be hoping for straight sailing and clear conditions over the coming months as teams from five local high schools get preparations under way for their entries in the International Solar-Boat Challenge.
Using solar cells and set materials, the teams will build boats leading up to race day in September.
Teams from Fairfield High School, Cabramatta High School, St John's Park High School, Freeman Catholic College and PAL College collected construction kits from the council two weeks ago. The challenge is an initiative of Social, Environmental and Economic Sustainability Ltd, drawn from elements of other solar-boat races around the world. SEES chairman Marcus Adler said making the challenge simpler meant a greater potential for impact. ``Many other solar challenges were developed for people with big pockets and lots of time on their hands, so we've tried to create a more accessible solar challenge,'' he said. ``Ultimately, the challenge is for the students but as you work on a solution your teachers, friends, family and the wider community will also hear about the technologies and options for alternate fuel sources.''
Fairfield Council is one of the chief sponsors of this year's entrants, together with Telstra, and will run support workshops.
When handing over the construction kits on Monday, Fairfield Mayor Nick Lalich told the aspiring skippers: ``The best advice I can give you is get started early, enjoy the challenge and really, really try to sail your boat in a straight line! Some teams last year hadn't considered some factors and had very good boats they just kept going in circles!''
In addition to the workshops with engineers, designers and other experts, the council will also build their own boat to participate in a mock race a month before the real event in September at Penrith Regatta Centre with 30 NSW schools.
Teams will have to avoid electromagnetic interference which scrambles radio navigation as well as paints likely to dissolve their polystyrene hulls.