Ten engineering teams from four nations take to Lake Balaton today as official racing gets underway in Balatonalmádi. Following morning race control adjustments, Day 1 opens with high-precision Slalom action at 10:00, followed by the Time Trial race in the afternoon (expected around 13:00).
Following Thursday’s successful technical scrutineering and official opening ceremony, the 4th edition of the CoreComm Solar Boat Challenge brings custom-built solar electric vessels to Szent Erzsébet Liget for three days of high-performance competition.
To optimize racing conditions on Lake Balaton, the race management has swapped today’s schedule:
10:00 – Slalom Race: The competition day opens with the high-precision Slalom discipline at 10:00.
13:00 (Expected Start) – Time Trial Race: The pure speed and hydrodynamic efficiency challenge will follow in the afternoon. Please note: the exact afternoon start time will be confirmed on-site by race control following the completion of the morning session.
1. Slalom Race (Morning Session – Starting at 10:00)
The Concept: A test of pilot precision, steering response, and hull maneuverability around a sequence of colored buoys in an alternating port-and-starboard pattern.
Rules & Penalties: Clean navigation is critical:
Touching a buoy: +3 second time penalty
Missing a buoy entirely: +10 second time penalty
Three mistakes: Disqualification (DNF) for the run
Scoring: Lowest final time (including any penalties) wins the heat.
2. Time Trial Race (Afternoon Session – Expected around 13:00)
The Concept: A sprint discipline testing peak hydrodynamic efficiency and powertrain management against the clock.
How it Works: Boats are dispatched individually at set intervals over a prescribed course.
Course Notice: The course runs entirely in the Balatonalmádi basin without the Balatonfüred waypoint.
12:00 – 18:00: Interactive Sustainability Games in the park
14:00 – 18:00: Fun activities and science demonstrations for the whole family
19:00 – 22:00: Sunset DJ Session on the shore
Admission to all shore events and viewing areas is free.
Follow live timing, daily standings, and photo updates directly at https://solarboat.uni-pannon.hu.