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Coutts Joins BMW Oracle Racing

July 24 - Valencia, Spain

Larry Ellison (left) and Russell Coutts, seen here shaking hands after the 2003 America's Cup, have joined forces.
© 2007 Luna Rossa

BMW Oracle Racing team owner Larry Ellison announced today that three-time America’s Cup winner Russell Coutts will lead his Golden Gate YC-based team at the 33rd America’s Cup. Coutts takes the place of longtime BMW Oracle Racing skipper Chris Dickson, who was fired after the team’s loss to Italy’s Luna Rossa syndicate in the semi-final round of the recent Challenger trials.

“Taking up this new challenge gives me a leadership role with an outstanding team,” said Coutts, who helmed two past Team New Zealand efforts to victory as well as Alinghi in 2003. “I share Larry’s vision for close and exciting racing with neutral event management.”

- latitude / jr