By JULIE ASH
Before this series, 1995 was the last time Russell Coutts and Chris Dickson competed against each other in the America's Cup.
Coutts and Team New Zealand were successful on that occasion, winning the challenger series and the America's Cup, while Dickson's Tag Heuer campaign came to a halt in
the semifinals.
Chances are that when the spray settles on the Louis Vuitton challenger series final, which starts today, Alinghi's Coutts will again have left Dickson - and Oracle BMW Racing - in his wake.
With Oracle's budget nearing the $200 million mark and Alinghi's around $120 million, the scene is set for an almighty showdown between two of the richest and best-prepared teams in the competition.
Alinghi's SUI64 is more of an all-round boat and is expected to excel upwind, while Oracle's narrower USA76 should power downwind.
While Dickson is confident his team have improved their boat speed, there's little doubt that Alinghi will have, too.
Design co-ordinator Grant Simmer said that since they launched SUI64 in May 2001 they have improved its speed by 1 1/2 minutes, with 20 to 30 seconds of that improvement coming in the last three months.
The key to success will be how the yachts are sailed. Of the six times the pair have raced, the Swiss have been first over the start line and have finished ahead five times.
This is the Coutts-Brad Butterworth factor and will be hard for Oracle to beat.
Oracle's Peter Holmberg is one of the best starters in the business, but he doesn't have a good record against Alinghi.
And it would come as no surprise to see Dickson at the wheel and Holmberg off the boat if he doesn't nail the starts early on.
Two of the encounters took place in light winds of 7-12 knots, and both of these were won by the Swiss.
The other four were run in medium winds between 13 and 18 knots, three of which were won by Alinghi. Only one, in round two, went Oracle's way.
This is not to suggest Alinghi will repeat the semifinal and romp away with a clean sweep.
Nevertheless, the smart money is on Alinghi winning the best-of-nine series, perhaps by a margin such as 5-1 or 5-2.
Dickson and Oracle would not agree.
But a Swiss win would set up the America's Cup match many observers have picked from the start - Team New Zealand v Alinghi. Dean Barker v Russell Coutts.
nzherald.co.nz/americascup
Racing schedule, results and standings
By JULIE ASH
Before this series, 1995 was the last time Russell Coutts and Chris Dickson competed against each other in the America's Cup.
Coutts and Team New Zealand were successful on that occasion, winning the challenger series and the America's Cup, while Dickson's Tag Heuer campaign came to a halt in
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