Our first off-season race was held on Sunday Sept 11th in Macau, just before the Mid Autumn Festival, and thus they named it rather long Macau Small Dragon Boat Mid Autumn Festival Cup. We were competing in the HK Open Class, also featuring South Eagles, HK Police, Fair Dinkies, BGC Stormies and other superb teams.

A smaller than usual group (11 Sailors plus drummer) of fierce and determined Navy sailors made their way to Macau to represent our proud Principality. While ten of us already arrived in Macau on Saturday, to get over the jetlag and to get accustomed to the climate, Commander Streun and newly recruited drummer Sarah promptly met us on time at the race venue at Van Nam Lake on Sunday morning. Why these two were all smiles and full of energy is still not known, as the rest of the troops were clearly fighting with their jetlag and intense humidity.

Our first heat was at 10:30am and after paying for the steersman our crew was ready on time at the assembly area to compete against the HK Sea School, Bubbles Dragon, Dragons Friend Sports Club Team B, LTA Dragon Boat Club and SKWNDB Eastern Dragon. Earlier counts of other teams rating indicated at least a start plus 80, more than we actually expected. On the way to the starting line we realized that the boats were quite light and pretty fast, and easy to handle.

"Ready, Attention, Go!" and off we were. We soon realized that our rating was too slow and tried to put more power behind every stroke, clearly visible as we managed to get closer to some teams who squeezed in front. And then there already was the finish line - Ooops, we clearly didn’t fulfill our task and only came 5th, forced to go into Repechage, which as we know is a punishable offense under Navy law. Only the first two teams directly qualified for the semi finals. SKWNDB came first with 1:02:41, Bubbles Dragon second with 1:04:17, HK Sea School in third 1:05:08, Dragons Friend Sports Club was forth 1:06:46, the Navy with 1:07:40 on fifth and last the LTA Dragon Boat Club with 1:08:30.

Disappointed and with the determination to kick some butt in the repechage we retreated to our camp to get some rest, Red Bull, Power Bars, Bananas and other vitamins.

Thanks to the smooth running of the event, the repechage was only little delayed and we lined up shortly after 12 noon to fight against the HK Sea School, again, BGC Stormies 2, Way Young and some others. This time our strategy was changed into a faster pace but at least as much power too. The starting signal went off and so did we. The start was pretty good although some boats had a slight advantage, but then our power jug set in and it was clear that the race was from then only between us and the HK Sea School. Forty, power up now, pulllll, come on, and we were over the line. Looking to the right there was only Sea School and all other teams were clearly behind. It however was pretty tight and both of us could have won, none of us however knew. We were happy with the piece though and thus hoped that we made it, as only the first of the repechage made it to the semi finals while the other teams would be forced to retreat.

Anxiously waiting for the results the stress was clearly visible on the sailors faces. Finally, results, and grrrr, we came second just 0.39 seconds behind HK Sea School who clocked 1:05:70, Navy 1:06:09, third BGC Stormies 1:08:17, forth Way Young 1:09:08 etc…. It was a good, solid piece though and we were quite happy with this race and the Red Bull and Bananas definitely helped.

We therefore abandoned the venue and retreated to Alis Curry House for some nice lunch and lime sodas (since they had no Foster's) to close the day.

Thanks also to Retired Sailor Roger who in the absence of the Admiral was Acting Team Coach and who thankfully managed not to lose our badges during our races while desperately trying to hold his head together.

Since one day seems too short to get used to the Macau climate and over the jetlag, we will have to consider a longer acclimatization period for next year.

Over and out, long live Liechtenstein !

Lt Beat Erne