The 2010 World Trebuchet Egg Challenge

 

Rules 

The Trebuchet

 

Each Trebuchet must be powered entirely by gravity and operated by a counter balance device not exceeding 9 litres capacity.

The machine’s main legs must have a footprint no greater than 2 square metres.  Additional stabilisers and or tracks may be fitted outside this area when the machine is placed ready for hurling.

The complete machine must be portable by 2 persons without the aid of wheels, rollers, levers or similar

Each machine and the operators must satisfy the Judges opinion as to safety of the operators and bystanders. 

The Competition. 

Each machine will be carried to the nominated start line. 

A target “catcher” or “target” team member will be placed at a given distance, wearing appropriate eye protective equipment.

When given the all clear, the Trebuchet will be loaded with a WETF provided egg and then operated.

The egg shall not be encased in any material other than parts of the static Trebuchet machine. When the egg leaves the machine to enter free flight it must be unprotected and as laid.

The “catcher” or “target” will attempt to catch the hurled egg. They may only move from his/her nominated start position once the egg has left the machine.

A successful “hurl” is adjudged as one where the egg is caught without touching the ground and is unbroken. (3 points)

A partially successful hurl is adjudged when the “target” is struck and the egg broken. (1 point)

Up to 3 attempts are permitted at any given distance.

Where no successful hurl is completed at the set distance then a sudden death, knockout, hurl is undertaken.

Where there is a tie then anther round is undertaken at a different distance. 
 

http://www.makezine.com/blog/archive/2007/02/make_a_trebuche_1.html 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trebuchet