PRESSURE
CHRIS DICKSON - CEO, BMW ORACLE Racing

SH: If you look back at 2006 and the Acts, how do you judge your position in the AC pecking order?
Chris Dickson: We are absolutelly on track for 2007. 2006 was an important year, though; obviously we launched USA 87 which has now logged almost 350 sailing hours. USA 87 is the most innovative America’s Cup yacht of the 2006 generation and we are looking forward to seeing further gains in the second new boat.
We also had some great wins on the water in 2006, not only in the Louis Vuitton Acts, but also on the match-race circuit with first places at the Trophy Trombini, in Portugal, Trieste and in the Spanish Open. And we brought America’s Cup racing to Germany for the first time with the German Sailing Grand Prix, where the German public turned out in a huge way.

SH: The big four are very close now. Is that good or bad from a developement perspective? CD: With the Version 5 America’s Cup rule we always knew racing would be close. This puts a premium on finding incremental performance gains in design and development and on the water a priority on teamwork with flawless crew manoeuvers and spot-on strategy. The fact that the top group have left the others behind is satisfying and confirmation that we have spent our time well.
That we are not alone in this is confirmation that we have always been correct in giving our competitors the utmost respect. Close racing is more exciting for us onboard and certainly keeps the pressure on but it is also more exciting for our sponsors, fans and the media so we are happy about that.

SH: With 16 nationalities in your squad do you still consider yourself an American team? CD: The nationality rules were relaxed as a cost-saving measure which was a good move. We are a global enterprise but ultimately represent Golden Gate YC of San Francisco USA as Challenger of Record. But each of us can still be proud to represent our home nation. As a New Zealander I am proud to race with the New Zealand flag on my shirt-sleeve. Each of our sailors sails with their own national flag on their sleeve which helps us retain that national pride.

SH: After so long in the game how do you motivate yourself every day again?
CD: Most of our team is experienced in the America’s Cup and knows the dedication it takes and that is why we are here. Each day is a new day to find performance gains and take us one step closer to our goal. I have yet to come in from a day of sailing where I haven’t learned something!
But we do try to balance our long work days with enough days off so that we can take time with our families and recharge. The families are an important part of our team so we do our best to keep them happy. \we couldn’t invest the long hours without the support at home.

SH: Some teams have internal competition to keep up the motivation. BMW Oracle Racing are using this principle for the crew, but is there any competition for your own position...
CD: This is a team of top performers. If anyone is no longer performing at their best then we will look at how they can improve. If change is needed, we will make it. Complacency will not win the Cup. But after three years together I wouldn’t expect too many changes in our race crew. I will continue as Skipper through the end of this campaign.

SH: What do you think makes your team better than the others?
CD: Thanks to an early commitment from Larry Ellison and BMW we could hire the key people early in the campaign and start on our R&D programme straight away. The people in the end make the ultimate difference and we feel we have the best in all areas of expertise. Also as a result of that early commitment we have been able to spend our time and money carefully giving us greater value for the money and effort we have spent.

SH: You once said, „a good campaign is well funded, has clear leadership, strong management, no competing egos and no private agendas“. How do BMW Oracle shape up?
CD: Thanks for reminding me... I am very proud to say that, yes, if ever I had a dream team, yes, this is it. Across all areas we have people who are talented, experienced, dedicated and team players. We have the financial support needed. We have some tough competition but this team is on track.

SH: Money is pretty important in the Cup circuit, as well as time. Which is more important?
CD: Money is only the entry fee; there is a cost of competing but money can’t buy you success and it certainly can’t buy you time (well maybe a little bit!) The money enables the best use of the time and the best growth of the team. This we have achieved. The America’s Cup is extremely challenging. It is so much more than just a sailing contest. You have to win many races to get the America’s Cup. You must win the funding race, the design race, the technology race and the management race before you even get to the sailing race. It is very complex. This, plus its great history and traditions, make it the biggest prize in the sport.

SH: Have you yet learnt much about Alinghi´s first new boat?
CD: SUI 91 looks like a consolidation of many of the strengths of the Defender. Meanwhile, the challengers are working hard exploring innovative design paths. We watch our competitors with attention but haven't yet seen anything that has diverted us from our path.

SH: Was Valencia a good choice for the Cup...the wind is frequently very soft?
CD: Part of the challenge is optimising for the conditions in any sailing environment whether light or strong breeze, flat or steep waves. In the end we will have to sail in water and wind and beat the other boat. The battles we will see will be exciting in any set of conditions. As a competition venue Valencia has made a significant and impressive investment in infrastructure which promises a world-class event in 2007.

SH: The new format with the Acts in Europe was designed to make the AC more popular, but it is also expensive and costs you a lot of testing and training time?
CD: The concept of the Acts has proved tremendously successful. We have had more America’s Cup racing in more countries than ever before in the history of the Cup. More than 1.5 million people have passed through the gates of the America’s Cup Parks since Louis Vuitton Act 1 in Marseille in 2004. At our own base in Valencia, we have welcomed more than 120,000 public visitors since it opened in March. The new concept of bringing the racing to the people is the future of the Cup. We fought hard for thisconcept on behalf of the challengers as Challenger of Record and three years down the track we are pleased to say it was a huge success.

SH: Do you think about the time after the 32nd America´s Cup?
CD: That is too far down the road. For now it is one day at a time, one race at a time until the Cup.

SH: Do you think, that the America´s Cup in Europe has changed the professional sailing scene in European waters generally?
CD: The Cup in Europe is a new era. Larry Ellison and Ernesto Bertarelli shared a vision to bring the America’s Cup racing to more people and to provide a continuous circuit of racing that is better for sponsors, media and fans alike. With still five months to go until the start of the Louis Vuitton Cup I think we can safely say we are on the way to fulfilling their vision.
Chris Dickson was talking to Heike Schwab

Copyright Text Heike Schwab - Seahorse December 2006

 

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