2.30pm - By JULIE ASH
Veteran New Zealand America's Cup sailor Chris Dickson made a surprise return to Oracle BMW Racing's sailing team today.
Dickson was relegated from his sailing duties in February after what was believed to have been friction within the team.
Since then he has worked on rules and
protocol matters, and on research projects.
But today he returned to the water with the primary responsibility of helming Oracle's warm-up yacht, USA71.
The San Francisco team were third after the first round, but lost their opening second-round contest to the resurgent Prada by 1min 55sec today.
But while there has been plenty of talk about the performance of their boat, USA76, in light conditions, the efforts of the afterguard, and in particular helmsman Peter Holmberg, have never been in question.
Dickson was not available for comment, but Oracle spokeswoman Joanna Ingley said the experienced Aucklander had a lot to offer.
"Chris Dickson is a three-time America's Cup skipper semifinalist, three-time world match-racing champion and a triple world maxi-yacht champion, and brings enormous experience to Oracle BMW Racing's programme," she said. The team's senior management had decided to bring him back.
Asked if Dickson would sail on USA76, Ingley was non-committal, adding: "At this stage Chris is sailing onboard the team's warm-up sailboat.
"Oracle BMW Racing is fortunate to retain a highly talented and experienced afterguard group that provides latitude and flexibility in their afterguard combinations."
She said Dickson's return would not affect the makeup of the afterguard for the second round.
Ian Burns, Tommaso Chieffi, John Cutler, Eric Doyle, Peter Holmberg, and team skipper Larry Ellison were part of an afterguard with a combined 17 America's Cup campaigns behind them.
