Oracle look at basing new campaign in Auckland

by Helen Tunnah on 14 May 2003 Auckland may not have seen the last of the America's Cup billionaires.

Oracle BMW Racing chief executive Chris Dickson last night confirmed that a feasibility study is being conducted into basing American software magnate Larry Ellison's new team in Auckland, even though the next cup will be sailed in Europe.

Dickson told the Herald last night that he would love the syndicate to set up camp here.

'As a New Zealander I would much rather Larry Ellison spent his millions in New Zealand than in Europe - or some of them.

'It's one of the possibilities that I'm exploring. My task is to plan the campaign for Larry Ellison and put options to him.

'If we can run a campaign that works for Larry Ellison and achieves what we need to achieve as a challenger ... that would be a nice thing.'

Ellison, the world's sixth-richest man, backed Oracle BMW's $175 million campaign in the last cup, pumping much of the money in from his own US$16.6 billion ($28.8 billion) fortune.

He became one of the star personalities of the event along with his superyacht Sayonara, a key attraction at its mooring in the Viaduct Harbour.

Oracle were knocked out in the Louis Vuitton challenger finals, beaten by Swiss team Alinghi, who went on to take the cup from Team New Zealand.

As Alinghi's official challenger of record, Oracle were the first team to confirm a new tilt for the America's Cup in 2007.

The regatta will take place somewhere off Europe.

One advantage of being based in Auckland rather than the United States or Europe may be cost. A team would be able to sail on the Hauraki Gulf for much of the year, only travelling to the eventual European venue for training during the Northern Hemisphere summer.

Dickson, who was Ellison's skipper for most of the last regatta, said he had no idea yet if Oracle would be able to keep a base at the Viaduct.

The future of the publicly owned land that housed some of the syndicates has yet to be finalised.

'We're just in the feasibility stages at the moment of how to do the whole campaign, and operating out of New Zealand, out of Auckland, is one of the options we are evaluating.

'The advantage from my point of view is I'm a Kiwi and I live here,' said Dickson.

'We have to weigh up all the pros and cons ... to see if we can make sense for him.'

Further reading: nzherald.co.nz/americascup