The BMW ORACLE Racing Team is an international team comprised of people from 15 different nations all focused on one goal: to win the 32nd America’s Cup in 2007. Blending technology and team work, BMW ORACLE Racing is striving to close the gap on the America’s Cup Defender.
Formed in the spring of 2000 by Larry Ellison, CEO and founder of leading global software company Oracle Corporation, the team then known as Oracle BMW Racing, had a strong performance in 2003 in Auckland, New Zealand, advancing to the Louis Vuitton Cup Final, before bowing out to Alinghi, the eventual America’s Cup winner. The result was all the more remarkable for the numerous key personnel changes to the sailing team, which blossomed throughout the course of the Challenger series.
Chris Dickson, who has sailed with Ellison throughout many big-boat campaigns, was installed as skipper, and put in charge of the sailing programme after the team suffered a disappointing string of losses in the early rounds. It was Dickson who then led the team to 11 consecutive victories and onto the Louis Vuitton Cup Final. For the 32nd America’s Cup, Dickson has been put in charge of all aspects of the team from the beginning of the campaign.
As Challenger of Record, the BMW ORACLE Racing team will work with Team Alinghi on developing the new era of the event in Europe, and Ellison has ensured the team will be in a strong position to become the Challenger for the 32nd America’s Cup Match.
The race crew has been developing over the past year and now has an extremely talented and experienced afterguard that works well together. In addition to Dickson and Ellison, New Zealander Gavin Brady is at the helm with American John Kostecki calling tactics. The international crew, a mix of previous America’s Cup and Volvo Ocean Race winners and other champions, is motivated and focused on 2007.
BMW ORACLE Racing won the Marseille Louis Vuitton Act, but slipped to third place in each of the Valencia Louis Vuitton Acts. It was able to claim second position on the ACC Season Champion points table by winning the tie-break over Alinghi.
Website: www.bmworacleracing.com
Yacht Club:
Golden Gate Yacht Club
Country:
USA
Syndicate Established:
2000
Sail Numbers:
USA 71, USA 76
Syndicate head:
Larry Ellison
CEO and Skipper:
Chris Dickson
Helmsman:
Gavin Brady, Larry Ellison, Bertrand Pacé
Designer:
BMW ORACLE Racing Design Team
Afterguard:
Chris Dickson, John Kostecki, Eric Doyle, Ed Smyth
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