In the greatest victory of its four year history, the Liechtenstein Princely Navy - the greatest naval force of one of the smallest countries in the world - secured a 6th place finish in the Cup Final of the prestigious Stanley Dragonboat Championships in Hong Kong, which attract over 140 teams each year. The battle was by no means easy, but our proud Navy emerged victorious after an intense day of naval combat that pushed all sailors to their physical limits.

After having gone from strength to strength in the past three years, the Admiralty of the Princely Navy was determined to better its results yet again in 2003. Having implemented a rigorous three-month training program (which included the by now infamous 14 hour overnight undercover mission code-named Operation NIGHTCRAWLER), the Navy was adequately prepared for the physical and mental challenges that awaited on Race Day, June 4th 2003.

In anticipation of a difficult and challenging combat season, the Admiralty was pleased to secure the support of an impressive list of sponsors. LGT Bank in Liechtenstein, the exclusive private bank owned by the Princely Family of Liechtenstein, remains the Navy's main financial backer together with Foster's - the Navy's exclusive fuel supplier. The 2003 Navy Uniform was designed and tailor-made in the national colors of blue and red by Neil Pryde, providing the Navy with a crucial advantage thanks to the futuristic lightweight and quick-dry materials used. Also joining the Navy in 2003 was Mercedes-Benz, whose Formula One engineering division provided significant technical expertise in the design of the X-Class V18 Twin Shaft Kompressor Engine (see Equipment Specifications).

The Meteorological Office of the Admiralty predicted good, but hot and humid, weather conditions for Race Day. The Navy's first race was scheduled for 0930 hrs, which saw the Liechtenstein sailors lined up against nine competitors who included local rivals HSBC, Bloomberg, a fierce Japanese contingent and the not-so-creatively-named "Swiss Men". The Admiralty formulated two clearly defined objectives: 1) To qualify in the top three in order to advance to the Cup (as opposed to the Plate); 2) To outpace the neighboring Swiss team by at least a boat length.

At the start of the gun the 18-sailor crew followed its well-rehearsed starting sequence of ten long deep paddle strokes, which would lift the heavy teak wood boat out of the water. This would immediately lead into the Acceleration Phase, which consists of 10 quick-paced strokes before settling into Cruising Mode. Thereafter the 300-meter race is a matter of stamina and rhythm, whereby the Princely Navy prevailed superbly and finished an impressive 2nd place. The Swiss Men (some were mere boys) came in a distant sixth, thus achieving the Admiralty's objectives in a sweeping strike.

With round two scheduled for 1200 hrs, the Navy retreated to the Liechtenstein Yacht, moored alongside the Race Course to reassess strategy, re-fuelling and breakfast. An initial contingent of loyal Liechtenstein supporters had arrived in the meantime, including diplomats of the Swiss Consulate, which are the official representatives of Liechtenstein in Hong Kong. They were probably pleased to distance themselves from the embarrassingly poor performance of their own countrymen. (Their equally creatively named Swiss Ladies team, it must be said in all fairness however, is a respectable naval force, finishing an overall 3rd in the Ladies Category).

Back on the Yacht the sailors were also given a chance to witness the crushing defeat of previous archrivals UBS Pacific Blades (whom some uncharitable commentators referred to as UBS Pathetic Blades). Their team having been in disarray due to a lack of enthusiasm, personnel turnover and the quarantine of their captain for most of the training season resulted in last-place finish in the first round. With morale falling through the floor their support ship was abandoned soon after another second-round Plate defeat.

The Princely Navy had to focus on its own strategy however. Round two in the mid-day heat and humidity at 1200 hrs would again be a severe test of determination for the Navy's multicultural crew of mercenaries, whose dedication to the Liechtenstein cause is admirable, given the fact that most of them have never actually been to the country! With intimidating shouts of "LIECHTENSTEIN!" the Navy headed for the start a second time, lining up against HSBC yet again, thanks to a quirk in the qualifying system. Being clearly the most vocal team of the entire event, the seven competitor boats were sufficiently frightened by the verbal barrage of abuse and ridicule aimed at them from the men in blue and red.

Executing yet again a brilliant start, the Navy charged ahead into a tightly fought race, which resulted in a superb 3rd place finish - thus securing the Navy a well-deserved space in the prestigious Cup Final.

Returning to rapturous applause from an ecstatic support crowd, the celebrations on the Liechtenstein Yacht were by now going into high gear. Head Chef and Chief Catering Officer Stefan Herzog cooked up a delicious Risotto and Bratwurst power-lunch while DJ Vinnie (of onefifth fame) started spinning a specially commissioned techno-version of the team's anthem "In the Navy".

While sailors and supporters were enjoying the party, the top brass of the Admiralty was quietly retreating to discuss strategy for the all-important finals. Due to choppy waters, organizers had decided to cut crew size from 18 to 16 in order to minimize the risks of sinking. This would require the Admiralty to make some tough personnel choices, based on rank, seniority, performance and training attendance. Failing to reach a consensus, the flip of a coin eventually decided the fate of the back row. (In the end, all eighteen sailors were allowed onboard thanks to calmer waters).

The Cup Final was scheduled for 1530 hrs with the Liechtenstein Princely Navy allocated the lucky boat number 8. More than luck would be required however to prevail in a by now formidable field of competitors. While sufficiently motivated and being as vocal as ever, the strains of the qualifying rounds and extensive re-fuelling were starting to show. The start was not as perfect as it could have been but the Navy nevertheless settled into an impressive rhythm, driven by the powerful strokes of the drummer - Lieutenant Commander Mei Li - who was given permission to swap her uniform for a bikini in a last-ditch motivational effort.

With adrenalin and testosterone pumping to the limit, the Mercedes-Benz X-Class V18 Twin Shaft Kompressor Engine paddled at over 76 strokes per minute. In the end the Navy managed a spectacular 6th place end result - proudly relegating HSBC to seventh.

The champagne was flowing on the podium where the Navy was presented with the largest trophy in its young history. With emotions running high, the crew launched into an impromptu rendition of "Liechtenstein, Liechtenstein" to the delight of the assembled fans, spectators and media. The celebrations continued late into the night, depleting the Navy's entire fuel supply of thirteen cases of Fosters (equivalent to 117 liters!). Jubilant crowds were also reported in the streets of Liechtenstein.

The Admiralty would like to express its sincere gratitude to all Navy personnel, sponsors and supporters for their enthusiasm and dedication to the cause of the greatest naval force in the world - The Liechtenstein Princely Navy.