Chris Dickson has announced the appointment of Russell Green as Oracle BMW Racing’s Sailing Manager. New Zealander Russell Green is the latest to join the Challenger of Record’s team for the 2007 America’s Cup. Green, formerly Rules and Legal Advisor for Team New Zealand, will be responsible for managing the Sailing Team. Working with Dickson and helmsman Gavin Brady he will select, recruit and develop the sailing squad for the team.

Dickson commented: “I’m really pleased that Russell has decided to join us. He was part of my TAG Heuer team in 1995 and will have a key role in ensuring that our sailing team will continue to develop and improve over the next four years as we build our challenge.” Green who is an International Umpire and New Zealand Yachting’s Team Manager for the 2004 Athens Olympics, a role he had for the Sydney 2000 Olympics, commented:

“This opportunity at Oracle BMW Racing is exciting. I wanted to be involved in an America’s Cup team where I could contribute my skills and experience in a wider management role. Working with Chris and Gavin I have the opportunity to have a real impact on the way the sailing team is selected and developed. This is going to be a very strong team.”

In a rematch of the 2003 Louis Vuitton Final, the Oracle BMW Racing team will race Alinghi for the Moet Cup on San Francisco Bay, 15-20 September. “The Moet Cup race is shaping up to be a brilliant event,” said Green. “It’s a great opportunity to benchmark ourselves. We are rebuilding our sailing squad with a new afterguard combination that includes Chris Dickson, Gavin Brady and Larry Ellison. The Moet Cup gives us a chance to compare ourselves with the Swiss, the defending champions.”