55 two-member teams, 51 shooting scenarios, 72 hours, 3 shooting ranges, and one military area – this is how we could briefly describe the eleventh annual St. Wenceslas Cup competition, which took place from June 22 to 26, 2025, in the Boletice military training area near Český Krumlov. As is traditional, the competitors were subjected to stress, sleep deprivation, and the pitfalls of individual shooting tasks prepared for them by the organizing team. The main organizer and director of the St. Wenceslas Cup, Staff Sergeant Michal Baka, told us more about the competition.

Video: Report from the St. Wenceslas Cup 2025 / CZ DEFENCE

During the 72-hour competition, contestants faced more than 50 day and night situations that tested not only their shooting skills but also their logical thinking, team communication, medical and engineering training, and ability to make decisions under stress. High summer temperatures, limited sleep, and physical exertion created authentic modern battlefield conditions.

This year's competition differed from previous ones in several ways. For example, the competitors did not sleep in the main accommodation facility but in special forward bases built for them. However, the biggest change was the division of the competitors into three main groups. The fourth division was for foreign crews, with 12 teams sent by the French, British, and Kenyan armies.

The organizers incorporated the latest training elements into the competition, including working with drones—both their use and elimination—and night vision technology. These aspects became a standard part of the disciplines, in line with the competition's motto, “No luck, all skill.”

Parallel to the competition, the Ground Forces Commander's Innovative Methodological Complex (IMC) took place, focusing on the modernization of shooting training. Over two days, more than 100 commanders and warrant officers from various Ground Forces units took part. New training standards, the use of technology, and a plan for the centralization of shooting training were discussed.

As can be seen, annual planning and an eleven-day preparatory week involving more than 120 members of the organizing team once again resulted in a unique competition that brings together individual units, provides new experiences, and offers opportunities for those who want to advance not only themselves but also the armed forces in general.

Results of the 2025 St. Wenceslas Cup:

SOF Division

1st place: 601st skss
2nd place: URNA PČR
3rd place: CPSS

INF Division

1st place: 42nd mpr
2nd place: 601st skss
3rd place: 44th lmopr

LEAF Division

1st place: CPSS
2nd place: 601st skss
3rd place: 42nd mpr