Team Sheppard makes a splash at annual Build-a-Boat Race Published July 18, 2007 By Airman 1st Class Jacob Corbin 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Their vessels were boat shaped or box shaped, intricately planned out or thrown together on-the-spot and held together with willpower and cries of "more tape." No matter what their finished boat looked like or the method of construction chosen, the 30 teams that competed in Sheppard's annual Build-a-Boat Race July 14 at the main pool had one goal - to have fun. The teams competed in five categories in front of the crowds of well-wishers and spectators: fastest sinking, best boat design, most spirited team, fastest race time and the overall competition winner. The 381st Training Squadron made a valiant attempt with their vessel but unfortunately sunk on the first leg of their heat, earning them the fastest sinking award. The 360th TRS's "Nasty Pirates" won for the best design with their pirate-themed vessel and crew. For the most spirited, the 362nd TRS Military Training Flight Team I beat out the competition. The 361st TRS Airmen-in-Training team took first in both the fastest race time and the overall competition, crossing the pool and returning in 46.22 seconds. "They blew the competition away on their time," said Lt. Col. Curt Van De Walle, 82nd Mission Support Group deputy commander and boat race judge. "They were a stroke above and when it comes down to it, it's about performance." Each team was allowed only five sheets of cardboard, three rolls of duct tape and two hours to create their forays into ship building.