Yesterday marked the first time in nearly two years that all participating universities were united under one roof (or tent). The UF team made an early-morning trek to the Villa Solar, where all the decathletes registered and were oriented with the competition’s regulations. Our sea of bright orange trucker hats and sporadic chants of “Orange! … Blue!” certainly made an impression.

Meeting decathletes from three continents, seven countries, speaking six languages has inspired the team to step up its game. After all, with two years of preparation behind us, the first day on the site means game time.

Soon, the home will be at the competition site, or Villa Solar, where the team will work until opening day to finish construction, landscaping, interiors and final touches before the public gets a chance to tour the home.

10 days until the competition kicks off!