YachtRacing.com exclusive confirmed: Dickson off the boat

Larry Ellison's Oracle Racing America's Cup team issued a statement today
(Feb. 27) confirming an exclusive report by YachtRacing.com on Feb. 14 that
Chris Dickson had been removed from the sailing team, as Paul Cayard had
been earlier.

Chief operating officer Bill Erkelens said in a statement that "afterguard
member Chris Dickson would take on new duties with the team.

"Chris has been one of the world's leading professional sailors for 25
years, and I want to ensure he can contribute his knowledge over a wide
range of challenger activities in the months ahead," Erkelens said.

Dickson was quoted in a prepared statement: "Although I would prefer to be
on the water, I am happy to be assigned to whichever areas the team feels I
could make the largest contribution. Oracle Racing has a fantastic team
with a huge amount of talent, and I'll work wherever Larry Ellison and his
advisors think I fit the best."

Earlier reports, including an interview with Dickson by an Auckland
newspaper, had said he was merely on "maternity leave" for the birth of his
second daughter last week.

Dickson has been a key part of Ellison's sailing operations for years, long
before the current campaign. As principal helmsman on Ellison's maxi,
Sayonara, he drove the boat safely to victory in the tragic
Sydney-to-Hobart race of 1998.

Earlier, Dickson, 40, was the top-ranked match racer in the world and was
skipper for three America's Cup campaigns with New Zealand in '86-87, Japan
in '92 and his own Tag Heuer bid for New Zealand in '95.

YachtRacing.com was initially told that the change was made "after a period
of difficulties [related to] personality clashes within the team" but not
with Ellison or his administrator, Erkelens.

A source said the move also was not related to training incidents with the
boats involving keels falling off and a mast breaking.

John Cutler, also an America's Cup veteran, remains as sailing director, a
role he assumed when Cayard was beached. Peter Holmberg, the world's No.
2-ranked match racer, is also a member of the afterguard and a candidate to
be the principal helmsman. Ellison has said he also plans to do some of the
driving.