All 120 teams are on the contest floor for the 2013 ICPC World Finals.
With applause and a loud, simultaneous rip, the top 360 contestants from nearly 30,000 students who competed throughout the year cracked open their problem sets.
Each contestant rubbed the 2013 trophy as they walked into the Jubilee Sports Palace.
“Just like musicians, there are different levels,” said ICPC Executive Director Bill Poucher as he greeted contestants. “These are composer-level programmers. Go somewhere else if you want typists.”
Some nervous contestants quickly passed by the trophy, held by 2013 World Finals Director Roman Elizarov.
Others rubbed the trophy and peered into the spectator gallery to their left, looking for signs of support from coaches and friends. A few contestants waved their arms wildly to grab their supporters’ attention.
Once the contestants sat at their stations, ICPC staff reiterated contest rules and offered last-minute bits of inspiration.
“Enjoy your experience,” Elizarov said. “This is the battle of the brains. Let the smartest team win, and good luck to everybody!”
Dioni L. Wise for ICPCNews
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