Ellison dumped from crew list for next race

Software billionaire Larry Ellison was cut from his own America's Cup boat yesterday, dropped by the man he reinstated as skipper five days ago.

Ellison's name was missing from the Oracle BMW Racing team crew list released for their race against US rival Team Dennis Conner's Stars and Stripes.

Disappointed by his team's performance in the early stages of the challengers regatta, Ellison replaced Peter Holmberg with long-time sailing partner Chris Dickson.

Dickson had himself been sidelined early in Oracle's campaign, reportedly over friction with other team-mates. He responded by keeping his boss off the boat yesterday and recalling Holmberg as helmsman. Ellison had sailed most of Oracle's races in round robins one and two in a tactical role.

"We have a policy of rotating the crew and Mr Ellison is not part of the team today," an Oracle spokeswoman said.

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