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LEGO Galactic Challenge Finals
LEGOLAND California
September 22, 2000Coverage by Mark Hurray
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In what started off as something resembling an Olympic opening ceremony
in miniature, 35 youngsters from 18 countries were let loose with over
100,000 LEGO pieces and 2 hours to create a grand prize winning model
that would earn the winners the title of "Best LEGO Builder in the Galaxy."
Despite a momentary threat of rain, these kids took the challenge with
all the concentration and determination of world class athletes. This
was serious LEGO building and the culmination of a year long process to
determine these 35 finalists.
For the past few months, countries all around the world have been
holding national finals to determine their best LEGO builders. Finalists
were chosen for two categories, 5 to 10, and 11 to 16 years of age. The
U.S. finals were held on April 29, 2000 in New York City, where David
Michon (Irvine, California) won the 5 - 10 year category with his space
station model. Tyler Gerding (Portland, Oregon) made it to the
semifinals in New York with a model space suit he could actually climb
into. When the finalist for for the 11 - 16 age range was unable to
attend the LEGOLAND event, Tyler was called upon to represent both his
country and his generation.
A complete list of the finalists is at the end of this page.
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Finalists Hard At Work
The Challenge
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Each finalist was given 10 assorted LEGO sets, including the Star Wars Pod
Racer Bucket and Darkside Developer kit. The contestants were then give two
hours to imagine, design, and build a model of a "futuristic invention." Each
model was then judged on originality of design, engineering, construction and
detail, as well as creative use of LEGO components. Shown below are a few
samples of what these world class LEGO builders came up with. At the end of
the day, all contestants were allowed to take home their creation, as well as
the remaining contents of the building sets they had to work with.
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Presentation Of The Finalists
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After 2 hours of non-stop building, the contestants were treated
to a lunch break, and the judges moved in. As the award ceremony
began, contestants were invited down to the stage where each
received a commemorative medallion made from, what else, LEGO
bricks. The medals were pretty cool, depicting the lightsaber
duel between Obi-Wan and Darth Maul in the Theed Generator
scene.
The day finished up with introductions of the 18 finalists, with
each being presented a cool LEGO Star Wars Galactic Challenge
World Championship Medallion by the Honorable Mayor Of LEGOLAND.
And of course the crowning of the champions.
David Michon won for his rendition of an Intergalactic LEGO
Factory, and Peter Nagy won for his model of an Orbital Space
Station. Each Grand Prize Winner received a beautiful Darth Maul
bust and a free family trip to the LEGO Headquarters in Denmark,
where they will take part in behind-the-scenes product
development of new LEGO Star Wars sets. They will also receive a
life-sized LEGO Star Wars model (of their choice) signed by
George Lucas himself! Man, where's the contest for the 30 to 35
year olds?!
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The Winners' Circle
Peter Nagy and David Michon
Peter Nagy Age 13 - Hungary
Crowned World's Greatest LEGO Builder Age 11-16
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Peter Nagy's prize winning Orbital Space Station included a
rotating globe, meteor defense cannons, and a small landing bay
- Most impressive!
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David Michon Age 10 - U.S.
Crowned World's Greatest LEGO Builder Age 5 - 10
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David Michon with his winning model - the "Intergalactic LEGO Factory"
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Darth Maul Trophy and Darth Maul Portrat
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Other activities for the celebration included this six and a
half foot tall Darth Maul portrait created by Bill Vollbrecht, a
sculptor for the LEGOLAND park. Contestants and visitors were
allowed to build part of the portrait throughout the day. Bill
himself was present to oversee the construction, deconstruction,
and reconstruction of his handy work.
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Rebelscum.com wishes to congratulate all the contestants
of the Star Wars Challenge. They all worked very hard to get to
this level, well done. We would like to thank Shannon
Hartnett, Walker Mc Bride, Bill Vollbrecht, and Jessica for all
the help and answers they provided during the event
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LEGO Star Wars Galactic Challenge Finalists
Lucas D'Angelo (Argentina) 5-10
Andre Oszwald (Austria) 5-10
Stefan Riegebauer (Austria) 11-16
Luan da Hora (Brazil) 5-10
Guiherme Mandadori Comim (Brazil) 11-16
Kevin Pelletier (Canada) 5-10
Matthias Melhorn-Boe (Canada) 11-16
An Du Thinh (Denmark) 5-10
Dainnie Christensen (Denmark) 11-16
Konsta Huhtala (Finland) 5-10
Johanna Strandman (Finland) 11-16
Hannes Marx (Germany) 5-10
Felix Rothe (Germany) 11-16
David Kismester (Hungry) 5-10
Peter Nagy (Hungry) 11-16
Yusuke Midorikawa (Japan) 5-10
Kei Sato (Japan) 11-16
Gerardo Ponce Gutierrez (Mexico) 5-10
Juan Antonio Arias Miramontes (Mexico) 11-16
Johnathon Remnant (New Zealand) 5-10
Samuel Whittaker (New Zealand) 11-16
Kevin Markeng (Norway) 5-10
Joachim Hytten (Norway) 11-16
Hanul D. Seo (Philippines) 5-10
Ian F. Frani (Philippines) 11-16
Bon Woong Ku (South Korea) 5-10
Joon Hee Ji (South Korea) 11-16
Christofer Aeng (Sweden) 5-10
David Rosenskold (Sweden) 11-16
Philip Frei (Switzerland) 5-10
Remo Mosimann (Switzerland) 11-16
Raphael Morton-Gittens (Trinidad) 5-10
Miail Ali (Trinidad) 11-16
David Michon (United States) 5 - 10
Tyler Gerding (United States) 11 - 16
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