The third race of the season and the third time we find ourselves in the Cup Final. But with our ambitions running higher and higher, the end result is still not where we want it to be.

The Lamma 500, as its name suggests, is another 500m race, attracting a smaller – but by no means easier – field of competitors than Deep Water Bay. This year the Open Men’s category featured a total of eleven teams, including some of our regular combatants.

The race format in Lamma is slightly different, with points awarded in two heats and the five boats with the highest points (or best time in the second race) heading into the Cup Final. As such, Target #1 was to come first in the heats in order to collect maximum points.

To get things going, heat one saw us lined up against on-form archrivals Tai Tam Tigers as well as the considerably diminished Royal X-Men and a Mickey Mouse team from Disney. We put our refined 500m strategy to work: a snappy quick start, ready-and-reach and into the chug. As usual, we were ahead at the start, but the period from 30 to 50 strokes felt markedly weak, suggesting that crews were either cruising or saving something for later, which we simply could not afford. Also, feedback from the drummer suggested that Sailors were looking left and right to check our position – a cardinal sin! Always focus on our boat! We powered up at 50, but were already on the back foot, thus securing only second place.

Heat two was not going to be any easier, as we were drawn against the BUZZ, who have shown in Deep Water Bay that they are back in business after having lingered in obscurity for a few seasons. We changed our strategy somewhat, keeping the drum away until 50, then bringing it in until 80, power up and take it to the line. It worked much better and we did not fall into that post-start hole. But we were just no match for the BUZZ and we again came second, collecting another four points.

BUZZ, Tigers and Lamma had won both their heats and thus collected maximum points. Stormies, SMUGs and us were on 8 points. With only two more spots in the final, the times of the second race were crucial. Thanks to that fierce fight with the BUZZ, we clocked in at 2.06’10 ahead of Stormies with 2.06’22 and more for the SMUGs. Thus the SMUGs once more missed out on the Cup Final.

Since anything can happen in a final, we fancied our chances for a podium finish. A familiar picture started to unfold: our start was solid (albeit not overly aggressive) and we were certainly ahead of the Tigers mid-way down the course, because their drummer was shouting “LIECHTENSTEIN IS AEHAD!” which put a smile on my face! We’re still the team that nobody wants to lose against! That rather strange power-up call did its job however and they came back at us again. Reminding ourselves of the wise words of SOF James that “pain is temporary, quitting is forever” we threw in everything we had, but alas it was not enough. The finishing photo is not very flattering and does not do any justice to our effort and pain – we were fifth and last, almost a boat length behind the BUZZ, who comfortably – and deservedly – collected the Cup.

With three weeks to go to the Stanley Championships, there obviously remains plenty of work to do. But we remain competitive and optimistic. And as we emptied our Foster’s supply on the ride back to Aberdeen, all singing “In the Navy!” and watching a bunch of Sailors trying to beat each other at the ‘poke-the-can-and-drink-it-quickly’ game I couldn’t help but smile and remind myself of what a great team I have the pleasure of going into battle with again and again. I know we have more inside of us – we just have to find it, bring it together and leave all else - and everyone else - behind!