2008-05-16 17:22:53 -

- Announcement of the scores awarded to student-produced videos, radio spots and brochures promoting the need for water conservation today kicked off Metropolitan Water District's sixth annual Solar Cup competition.

Teams from 41 Southland high schools--about 850 students--are participating in the program in which they build and race solar-powered boats on Lake Skinner, near Temecula.

Trophies were presented

to newcomer teams Palos Verdes Peninsula High School, Rolling Hills, 234 points; John North High School, Riverside, 192; and Santa Ana High School, 129.

Returning teams winning visual display trophies were Adolfo Camarillo High School, Camarillo, 240 points; Warren High school, Downey, 237; and Duarte High School/Pamela County Park, Duarte, 231. The visual display requirement was worth a possible 240 points, out of a possible total Solar Cup score of 1,000.

"Each year the teams are required to complete a visual display project on a water-related topic," said Metropolitan board Chairman Timothy F. Brick, who will help award trophies on Sunday.

"This year's visual display project focused on Southern California's serious water-supply situation, and the need for conservation," Brick said. "We're asking everyone to cut their outdoor watering by at least one day a week and to conserve inside their homes, and the students' conservation videos and brochures reinforce that in creative ways."

"The water supply gains we made early this year were wiped out by the extremely dry conditions since March," Brick said. "Some people have the mistaken impression that our water worries are over this year; nothing could be further from the truth, and we're pleased the Solar Cup teams are helping to get the word out."

Solar Cup, open to the public free of charge, runs from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. today through Sunday at Metropolitan's Lake Skinner, on Rancho California Road 10 miles from Interstate 15.

Following today's qualifying events, Saturday will feature endurance races, in which solar-collection panels are attached to the single-seat 16-foot wooden hulls and the skippers vie to complete the most rounds of the 2-kilometer course during the 90-minute heat.

Sunday is highlighted by sprint races, during which the heavy solar panels are removed and the boats use solar energy stored in batteries to drag race down a 200-meter course, reaching speeds of up to 15 or 16 miles per hour.

Solar Cup concludes with an awards ceremony in which every participant receives a medallion and trophies are awarded in veteran and newcomer divisions for first and second place, hottest-looking boat, teamwork and sportsmanship.

Teams participating in this year's competition are from high schools in Anaheim, Banning, Burbank, Camarillo, Chino Hills, Claremont, Covina, Diamond Bar, Downey, Duarte, El Monte, Fullerton, Hacienda Heights, La Puente, La Verne, Lake Elsinore, Lake Forest, Long Beach, Los Angeles, Menifee, Mira Loma, Moreno Valley, Murrieta, Pomona, Rancho Cucamonga, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Dimas, San Fernando, San Gabriel, San Jacinto, Temecula and Upland.

Additional information about the seven-month Solar Cup program and three-day event is at "mwdh2o.com."

The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California is a cooperative of 26 cities and water agencies serving 18 million people in six counties. The district imports water from the Colorado River and Northern California to supplement local supplies, and helps its members to develop increased water conservation, recycling, storage and other resource-management programs.

Metropolitan Water District of Southern California
Rob Hallwachs, 213-217-6450
cell: 213-324-1255