Team #

The 23rd contest was held on a sunny May 6 afternoon/evening. Once again, outside entrant Fireman Phil Wyatt provided dramatic moments with his two entries, improvements on two structures that he sent to the 22nd contest.

With outstanding work from the student volunteers the contest was once again a terrific success. Although one of Phil Wyatt's structures was the nominal winner, the evening belonged to Joey Ziccardo's truss entry, supporting 138.3 kg, a figure surpassed by only two bridges the previous year.

Particularly noteworthy is the fact that there were no disqualifications among the 46 entries. Also worthy of note is the higher than usual average mass supported figure of 58.3 kg, a sizeable jump from last year's average. Ten student entries supported 80 or more kilograms.

Mike Cook's laminated arch entry provoked interest and earned a third place for design and workmanship. Unfortunately the entry failed early in the testing. Kelly Esteves' entry featured unusual "carvings" at the tips of vertical support members, earning the number one spot for workmanship and design; supporting more than 80 kg was a bonus for this fine entry.

Trevor D'Sa remained in one of the top three spots for the second year, this time with a fine solo entry. Melissa Pellizzari rounded out the top three with an entry that supported just over 105 kg.

Guest competitor Phil Wyatt's box girder entry remained more or less intact, the pedestals snapping off the box at 81.6 kg. Much more spectacular was the high-road triangle, which initially developed a pronounced lean as a key support piece crushed, suddenly returned to level, before going on to support the most weight at this year's contest, 148.9 kg.