Dickson last hope to win Cup, says Ellison

By HELEN TUNNAH

Abrasive New Zealand sailor Chris Dickson has been told by his billionaire boss, Larry Ellison, that the America's Cup is his to win or lose for the Oracle BMW syndicate.

Ellison yesterday recalled Dickson to steer the US$85 million ($175 million) campaign on the water, just months after he was sidelined because of tensions with sailing and shore crew.

Dickson sailed one of Oracle's racing boats for the first time two days ago and has been given considerable control. He will pick the sailing team and is in charge of the yachts' development programme.

Ellison decided to replace helmsman Peter Holmberg, the world's top-ranked match racer, after a run of losses.

Ellison, who enjoys a reputation as an uncompromising competitor, said he did not think the recall of Dickson, as famed for his off-the-water tussles as his sailing skills, would lead to divisions within Oracle.

"I've sailed with Chris for years and years and I've never had a personality clash with him," Ellison said yesterday.

"We weren't getting the results, and when you're a professional sports team and you're not getting the results you have to make changes. I don't know of any more talented sailor in the world than Chris Dickson."

Asked what would happen if Oracle did not pick up under Dickson, Ellison said: "I guess we'll lose. I can't make constant changes to the team. It's Chris' to win or lose."

Dickson responded by stepping on to Oracle's racing yacht USA76 for the first time and comfortably beating the lowly ranked Italian challenge Mascalzone Latino in yesterday's racing.

A three-time world match-racing champion, Dickson enjoys the confidence and friendship of Ellison, but he has a decades-long reputation of being a tough man to sail with.

As a 24-year-old and already at the top of his field, Dickson skippered New Zealand's first challenge for the America's Cup, as Sir Michael Fay's KZ7 reached the Louis Vuitton finals only to be beaten by Dennis Conner's Stars and Stripes. Dickson's clashes with Conner were legendary, but there was also talk of internal differences with Fay.

He sailed in two other cup campaigns, with Japan in 1992 and his New Zealand syndicate Tag Heuer in 1995.

He teamed with Conner for the 1997 round-the-world race - but the partnership lasted just one leg before Dickson walked off citing "a difference of opinion" over the running of the team.

He has been harsh on sailing partners, including during the 2000 Olympic campaign when he made a late switch in his Tornado team-mate.

Dickson has sailed with Ellison for years, including on Sayonara during the ill-fated 1998 Sydney-to-Hobart race that killed six people.

Dickson was not speaking yesterday, but Ellison said the decision to replace Holmberg was his and there was no input from boat designer Bruce Farr.

Oracle had lost four of its previous five races and change was necessary.

"I think we have great boat speed," he said. "We thought we had to make some other fundamental changes. The fact is we raced five times, had four losses and we beat Victory Challenge because they broke a halyard."



Ellison said Dickson brought improved communication skills to the afterguard. He said Dickson's style involved a lot of input on all aspects of the boat and on tactics.

Ellison remained on the boat yesterday as a member of the afterguard. He rejected suggestions his presence might intimidate his team.

nzherald.co.nz/americascup

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