Thrilling Match Racing Final In Bermuda Gold Cup

Press Information 30 October 2003

Thrilling Match Racing Final in Bermuda Gold Cup
ORACLE BMW Racing finishes second

Auckland/Munich. Winds gusting up to 24 knots, tight turning manoeuvrers and a winner who only gained victory in the fifth and decisive race. Match racing fans certainly got their money's worth at the final of the Bermuda Gold Cup in Hamilton harbour (Bermuda). In the end it was Pizza La Sailing whose bow nosed in front. The team skippered by four-time America's Cup participant, Peter Gilmour, beating ORACLE BMW Racing by 3:2. The Bermuda Gold Cup was the second event of the Swedish Match Tour 2003/2004, with top-flight rivals competing with identically constructed racing yachts of the 'International One Design Boat' class.

Despite the close defeat, Chris Dickson was extremely happy with the performance of his crew, especially considering that the very windy conditions demanded everything of the finalists. "It was a tough day out there. Both crews did a fabulous job of controlling the boats ", said the ORACLE BMW Racing skipper who had Gavin Brady, Ross Halcrow and Dirk de Ridder as his crew.

Dickson said the regatta had been well worth the effort for his four-man crew, sailing together for the first time. "We were very pleased to be in the final," Dickson said. "Most of the top matchracing teams in the world were here and all but one went home before we did. So we did well. "There's nothing wrong with coming second in a regatta like this - and a very close second at that." In the semi-final, Chris Dickson's team prevailed over the racing yacht of Dean Barker, skipper of Team New Zealand.

Leaving the Bermuda islands behind, ORACLE BMW Racing now moves on to Hong Kong, where the China Coast Regatta will take place from 31 October to 2 November. The team will then move to Tokyo with the Nippon Cup, starting 17 November - the third and final stage of this year's Swedish Match Tour.

For further information please contact:

ORACLE BMW Racing Press Office Email: media@oraclebmwracing.com Internet: http://www.oraclebmwracing.com

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