America’s Cup champion Ross Halcrow has joined the Oracle BMW racing team.

Halcrow is considered one of the world’s best sail trimmers and was part of the Team New Zealand crew which made history in winning the America’s Cup in San Diego in 1995. The New Zealand-born, Canadian-based Halcrow, aged 36, furthered his sailing reputation as part of the illbruck Challenge crew which won the 2002/3 Volvo Ocean Race. Oracle BMW Racing CEO Chris Dickson says the addition of Halcrow to the sailing crew strengthens the team on and off the water. “Ross Halcrow is one of the world’s best trimmers and brings a lot of expertise to that area of the race boat. He will also play an important role in our sail programme,” Dickson said.

Halcrow says joining Oracle BMW Racing is a great opportunity to work with a team with the potential to win the 2007 America’s Cup. “I didn’t want to join a team for the sake of joining a team – I want to win the America’s Cup again,” he said. “I believe Oracle BMW Racing has the assets and a good structure and I’m looking forward to being involved with the strategic planning for the team.”

As trimmer and sail programme manager on board illbruck, Halcrow worked closely with skipper John Kostecki, who has also recently joined the Oracle BMW Racing team as tactician.

Halcrow will sail on board Oracle BMW Racing in the Moët Cup, the rematch of the 2003 Louis Vuitton Cup final against Alinghi, in San Francisco later this month.