Chris Dickson returns as Ellison wields axe

by www.nzoom.co.nz on 24 Oct 2002 Chris Dickson will make a dramatic return to America's Cup racing at the helm of Oracle on Thursday after syndicate boss Larry Ellison sacked starting helmsman Peter Holmberg late on Wednesday.

Dickson, who helmed KZ7 through its thrilling run to the Louis Vuitton Cup final in Fremantle in 1987, will also now head up the sailing team.

The removal of Holmberg is clearly the fall-out of Oracle's four-race losing streak, a run that has seen them slump to third-equal in the Louis Vuitton Cup standings, level with GBR Challenge and Prada Challenge. Prada defeated Oracle on Wednesday afternoon by one minute and 55 seconds.

Ironically, internal ructions had forced Dickson off the Oracle sailing squad earlier this year but he recently returned to take charge of Oracle's second boat and was charged with the task of keeping the 'A' sailing team on their toes.

Dickson was originally a key man in Larry Ellison's plans as he took his first steps in his America's Cup campaign and has a long association with the software billionaire, having skippered his maxi yacht Sayonara.

He now finds himself in charge of a group of sailors who successfully had him removed from the programme.

Holmberg will be ashore on Thursday as Dickson helms Oracle against Mascalzone Latino.

The demotion will be a bitter pill for Holmberg to swallow. Some observers had identified him, along with OneWorld's James Spithill, as the two best starting helmsmen in the Louis Vuitton Cup thus far.



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