Team Profile

The Liechtenstein Princely Navy is the largest of Liechtenstein's forward-deployed naval forces. Its area of responsibility includes over 52 million square miles of the Pacific and Indian Oceans, stretching from the International Date Line to the east coast of Africa and from the Kuril Islands in the north to the Antarctic in the south.

The Liechtenstein Princely Navy was founded in the year 2000 and is the only dragon boat team to represent the interests of the Prince and Country of Liechtenstein. Under the leadership of Admiral Silvan Colani, the Navy has continuously grown in terms of depth, strength and expertise and is today considered one of the most formidable naval forces of any alpine land-locked country.

Determination, stamina and endurance are important traits of the Liechtenstein spirit. Sailors of the Liechtenstein Princely Navy are easily identified by the red/blue design of their uniforms, which reflect the colors of the Liechtenstein national flag. All Sailors are highly qualified paddlers and have undergone specific Special Operations training including dragon boat combat, naval assault, enemy intimidation and infiltration techniques, sabotage, torpedo launch and rapid fuel intake.

The Liechtenstein Princely Navy’s battle cry and team song – appropriately entitled “LIECHTENSTEIN” – are instantly recognized at any dragon boat event, striking both fear and excitement among the competition.


Recent Result Highlights

2017 - 1st Runners-Up Men’s A Cup Final, Sun Life Stanley International Dragon Boat Championships

2016 - 1st Runners-Up Men’s A Cup Final, Sun Life Stanley International Dragon Boat Championships

2014 - CHAMPION, Open Cup Final, Lamma International Dragon Boat Festival ("The Lamma 500")

2013 - 1st Runners-Up Men’s “Class A” Gold Cup Final, Stanley International Dragon Boat Championships

2012 - 2nd Runners-Up Men’s “Class A” Gold Cup Final, Stanley International Dragon Boat Championships

2011 - CHAMPION, ANZ Financial Institutions and Bank Championships / Small Boats, HKIDBR

2010 - 2nd Runners-Up Men’s “Class A” Gold Cup Final, Stanley International Dragon Boat Championships

2009 - 1st Runners-Up, Men’s Gold Cup Final, Lamma International Dragon Boat Festival ("The Lamma 500")

2008 - CHAMPION, Men’s B Gold Cup Final, Stanley International Dragon Boat Championships.

2007 - 1st Runners-Up, Expat Men’s “Class B” Cup Final, Stanley International Dragon Boat Championships

2006 - 1st Runners-Up, Expat Men’s “Class B” Cup Final, Stanley International Dragon Boat Championships


Commanding Officers on Deck

Admiral Silvan Colani

ADM Colani, a graduate of the Liechtenstein Naval Academy, assumed duty as Commander of the Liechtenstein Princely Navy in January 2000. He led the crew through several successive years of naval supremacy, culminating in ever better results.

Over the course of his career, ADM Colani should have received numerous awards, including two Legions of Merit, three Meritorious Service Medals, and three Navy Commendation Medals, but apparently they were lost in the mail.


Senior Captain Olivier Streun

Senior Captain Streun has been loyal to the Liechtenstein flag since the Navy's inaugural season in 2000, despite his occasional French leanings. He commands respect within the ranks for his stamina, focus and determination. Offshore, CPT Streun's non-combat contributions to the Navy are various, including having secured Neil Pryde as supplier of the Princely Uniform, his relentless recruitment drive of key personnel (paddlers, trainers, drummers and others) over the years and the introduction of Boot Camp in 2007.

A little known fact is that CPT Streun is the mastermind behind the aptly named 'Streun Maneuver', which consist of the back of the boat paddling towards the stern while the front paddles towards the bow in a tug-of-war fashion. The first (and only) application of the 'Streun Maneuver' resulted in the sinking of the boat during practice in 2003. The 'Enhanced Streun Maneuver' (left side paddling forward while right side paddles backward in an effort to spin the boat 360 degrees) was an equal failure.


Senior Captain Fred Laine

After years of having risen though the ranks of some of the most competitive teams including the British Dragons and the BUZZ, Frenchman Fred was looking for a new challenge and decided to join the Navy as an entry rank Apprentice Sailor in 2008. Bringing with him a wealth of experience and an enormous motivating force, the Admiralty quickly realized his potential and placed him in the strategically important ‘stroke’ position where he gained instant notoriety by promptly sinking the Navy during his first outing!

Being extremely ‘focused’ (pronounced with a heavy French accent), Senior Captain Fred has been appointed Chief Focus Officer (CFO) and has managed to rebuild the respect of the crew and his commanding officers during his distinguished career with the Navy. For the 2017 season, CFO Fred has humbly accepted the challenge of coaching the team, relying on his experience, enthusiasm, gravitas, focus - and most importantly - respect from fellow Sailors.

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