June 5, 2005: Stanley Dragon Boat Short Course Invitational Races |
In a complete travesty of justice, the Liechtenstein Princely Navy was today robbed of a chance to compete in the Men's Plate Final of the Stanley Short Course Race 2005. Due to the total incompetence of the starter, combined with the sheer ignorance - and arrogance - of the race umpire, fourteen weeks of hard training by Navy went to complete waste today.
The day had actually started in fine form. The Navy was assembled at 0900hrs at Stanley Main Beach for what should have been the best race of the season for a number of reasons.
Secondly, since the Navy is entered in the "A" Class for the main event in Stanley - the 300m Stanley Dragon Boat Championships, it will be an uphill struggle next week. The Short Course Race would have provided an ideal moral boost ahead of the big race.
During the first heat, at 1020hrs in Race 3, The Navy was lined up against a few old friends and enemies, including the unpronounceable Freudenberg & Vilene Dragonboat Racing Team (who or what on earth do these people represent?) and the never-heard-of "Drunken Cats", who eventually came first in all of their three heats. With a slightly botched start, the Navy nevertheless managed an impressive third place finish in 51.2 seconds.
For the third and final heat before the finals, the Navy faced the strongest opposition yet, with their archenemies from the 2004 season - AIA Southside Massive - lined up on row 2. But the Navy executed a flawless start, which gradually built up into a well-timed, properly rehearsed cruising speed that saw us finish in third. The SMUGs crossed the finish line in first and in fact went on to win the event against such formidable competition like the Hong Kong Island Paddle Club and the Stanley Merchants.
With its usual quick boarding and turnaround time, the Navy was one of the first teams to be lined up at the start. However, due to choppy seas and heavy swells, we were forced to re-align the boat several times, trying to catch the bow line from the water. With our front left man still standing to reach for the bowline, one or two teams suddenly jumped the start - with no "ready" call or horn signal from the starter whatsoever. The other crews jumped into the fray while - being caught completely off guard - the Navy didn't even put a paddle in the water, assuming this would clearly be a false start. However, the starter in his complete ignorance let the race proceed unhindered.
The unfortunately incident put a bad light over what could have been an excellent event. It also left Sailors in a somber mood for the Post Race Party at CBO Stefan's roof top BBQ in Stanley - despite ample supplies of Foster's and Bratwursts!
A heartfelt thank you to the Chief Bratwurst Officer and his family for their kind hospitality!
Click here for a copy of the Navy's letter of protest to the Organizer.
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