| 27 June 2010: Stanley Short Course Race |
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On a day that allowed us to stress test our fancy new raincoats to the limits, the Navy went into the soaking wet final event of the 2010 season – the Stanley Short Course Race.
The racing itself was tough and competitive, as these smaller Stanley events always tend to be, with lots of fishermen and other Chinese competitors. In addition, the poor luck of the draw meant that we found ourselves in a very challenging first heat, out of which only the first and second placed teams would progress into the Gold and Silver Cup.
Tough draw or not, we were determined to enjoy ourselves today and to end the season on a high – as a team that got stronger, better and closer over the past six months of training and racing. As such, the Admiralty ensured that all Active Duty Sailors of the 2010 season would have a chance to paddle on the day.
The Fish Eagle Dragon Boat team in lane six on the other hand was determined to overcome their fear of the Navy by jumping the start. However, Rule Number One For Jumping Starts states that you need to do it discreetly, smartly and with finesse, none of which the Fish Eagle obeyed as they loudly blew their whistle when they jumped out of the gate. Although all Navy personnel are highly trained at aggressive starts and latching onto jump-starting teams, this one was just too obvious. Our drummer didn’t even bother to throw away the bow line.
Fish Eagle was promptly caught, widely booed and pulled back for the re-start, which went off without a hitch. Racing in the fast fiberglass boats we were quickly up to cruising speed, bringing in the drum at twenty strokes and – voila – across the line before we knew it. At 200m race distance, with tide and wind pushing us on, this must have been the shortest race ever – not even forty strokes from the “ready and reach”. In fact, our usually competent drummer thought we were across the line already at thirty strokes when she brought in a wild and unanticipated drumming solo to signal the end of the race. Fortunately, it has been hammered into the brains of our crew to “never stop until the Chief Focus Officer stops” and so they ploughed on unperturbed, eventually finishing third in 52.51 behind Fish Eagle (51.26) and Tai Tam Tuk (51.87), meaning that we would not be able to compete in the top two finals.
In the semi finals we were up against more Chinese teams: Stanley Market Reunion, Crazyrider, University of Hong Kong, Lion Art Dragon and The Fat Buddy. At least the last team sounded beatable!
Reminding ourselves that “it is shorter than you think” – an uncommon lament among our testosterone-laden crew – we decided to power up already at 10, bring in the drum at 20 and just storm for the line. It was another closely fought race which we finished in second, behind the University and ahead of Crazyrider, who would thus both join us in the Gold Plate Final alongside the Marine Police, Kwai Tsing and a team with only a Chinese name (usually the most dangerous of all!)
The plan for the final was a simple progression of the day: third in the first heat, second in the semis and first in the final! Staring down the familiar course for the final time in 2010, we gave ourselves a slap on the back, put a smile on our face and readied for the start. We were off to a good start, building fantastic boat speed that created a big swell for paddlers further down the boat. We kept our nose ahead and powered along beautifully. However, with the beach in sight and the thought of our final three cases of Fosters nicely chilled waiting for us we sped up unnecessarily and timing fell apart. It was tight, but Crazyrider beat us to the line and quashing our plans for a first place finish.
Come Rain or Shine,
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Last year we ended the season with a memorable dive under the finish line – and still managing to finish ahead of two other teams (see picture on the right) – so the aim for 2010 was to stay dry. With rain pouring down for the entire weekend, that was to be a futile objective, even with our heavy duty rain coats courtesy of LT Erne. But at least we were the best protected and best looking team on the beach. 
Having set up our base camp for the day – the only place we would be dry today – we headed out for our first heat. Lining up in lane three we saw nothing but Chinese paddlers to our left and to our right. But although they are light and fast, we know that they are terrified of the Liechtenstein Princely Navy, scarred by the sheer humiliation that defeat against our motley crew in blue and red brings with it. Thus we were counting on using our psychological advantage to overcome any physical disadvantage. 
So we came second in the third final of the day. That’s obviously nothing to write home about, but then again – who cares? We had fun, we paddled hard, we drank three cases of Foster’s and had a great BBQ on the beach! We are the Liechtenstein Princely Navy and we will be back next year! 
