I.B. Posse Defends Sandcastle Championship to Claim Second Title in a Row

The I.B. Posse won first place in the Master's A category of the 2011 U.S. Open Sandcastle Competition with "Thank You to the Troops" a sand sculpture in tribute to the American armed forces. Last year, the group took first place in the same category for "Got Oil," its depiction of the BP oil spill.

I.B. Posse's rival Archisand came in second place with its tribute to NASA and the recently discontinued Space Shuttle program.

First place received $5,000; second place received $3,000.

made by more than 30 amateur and master's teams who competed Sunday.

Hundreds of thousands of people came to the Imperial Beach this weekend for the 31st Annual U.S. Open Sandcastle Competition, street festival and music in Pier Plaza, organizers said.