Oracle expecting early fireworks

By JULIE ASH

When his Oracle BMW Racing team line up against OneWorld tomorrow, navigator Ian Burns expects sparks to fly the minute the teams enter the starting box.

In their last two encounters they came within centimetres of colliding in the pre-start and Burns expects the same when they front up in the first of the best of seven races in the quarter-finals of the Louis Vuitton challenger series.

"Certainly, one of their greatest strengths is their starting ability," Burns said.

"With Peter Holmberg here, we have got an incredibly great starting helmsman.

"I think he is the best, but if there is anyone out there who is as good, it is James Spithill. With Peter Gilmour coaching him, they have two great helmsmen."

After an ordinary start to the series, Oracle revived their fortunes in the second round to finish the round-robin competition second behind Alinghi.

Oracle's improvement was put down to some fine-tuning of their boat, a better performance from the crew and the return of Chris Dickson - relegated earlier this year after what outsiders viewed as friction within the team.

"Chris is a great sailor and is also a guy who doesn't mind making a decision," Burns said.

"Chris will present the data and make the decision, and almost all of the time he is right. That is something which is always good to have at the back of a yacht.

"We have a group of guys who have got good skills in all areas, but having someone take overall control of that and making those final decisions is an asset which I believe has improved our game."

Asked about the feeling in the team when Oracle boss Larry Ellison reinstated Dickson, Burns replied: "Initially, everyone was shocked because it happened so quickly.

"A few people had to take a step back and say what does it mean for me, but our immediate response was what does it mean for the team.

"Most agreed to give it a chance. It has worked well - I don't think anyone can say it hasn't been a success."

In the other quarter-final matches Alinghi face Prada, Victory Challenge meet Le Defi Areva and Team Dennis Conner clash with GBR Challenge.

"I consider Alinghi the most formidable of teams," Burns said.

"When they started out I thought their design area was maybe a weakness because Rolf Vrolijk is not recognised for his America's Cup experience.

"He did the Spanish yacht last time, which was a pretty good boat, but it certainly wasn't a big project.

"That was the only weakness I could possibly see. But they have done a great job in that area.

"OneWorld are going to benefit from the adversity they have been through. I think they are one of the tightest sailing teams out there."

OneWorld suffered financial problems in the early stages of their campaign.

They also went into the series with a one-point deficit after the America's Cup arbitration panel ruled they had other teams' design information.

Burns said Prada suffered originally from the fact they were so good last time, probably against a reasonably weak field, "and I think they came away from the last regatta probably thinking they were pretty close to winning the America's Cup."

"I believe they took a step back after their results in round one, had a good look at what they had done, revamped it and stepped up to the plate making huge steps.

"There is the potential there to do well. But they have a hard row to hoe from where they are sitting right now to win this event."

Few teams are expected to change their yachts for the quarter-finals.

"The Alinghi yachts are very good and I think OneWorld's boats are very similar, so maybe it doesn't matter to them.

"But by the semifinals I think you'll see most bring out their best boats as it becomes do-or-die.

"With the format the way it is I have a feeling most have been racing their best boats from the word go."

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