Chris Dickson is off BMW ORACLE

by Ivor Wilkins, BMW Oracle Racing Media on 20 May 2007
Struggling BMW ORACLE have replaced helmsman Chris Dickson with Sten Mohr for what could be their final race on Sunday.

Sten Mohr, the Danish BMW ORACLE Racing helmsman, will replace Chris Dickson at the wheel of USA 98 for today’s sixth Louis Vuitton Cup semi-final match against Luna Rossa Challenge.

Gavin Brady will be tactician and skipper. Dickson will not be aboard USA 98. The team has always built the sailing squad on the basis that there are two people for every position on the boat and it was felt necessary to bring some fresh blood in off the bench.

'We brought our best package into the semi-finals, but we have not achieved the results we were hoping for, so in my capacity as CEO I fully support any moves that will give us a chance to win,' said Dickson. 'We are a fighting team and will never give up. To be 4-1 down is a tough situation, but there are still points up for grabs and we are going to go out there and fight for them.'

Sten Mohr joined the team in 2006 as a testing helmsman and as a sparring partner for Dickson for the intense program of in-house racing. Mohr is a highly experienced match racer, who reached No. 1 in the world rankings in 1999.