Fire and Ice

Watching the dynamics aboard Oracle is an amazing study in human nature. Of course I am talking specifically about Chris Dickson and Peter Holmberg. Those closer to the action (I am after all writing this while my fat ass is parked in my Barcalounger), or those who know them better might disagree, but these guys seemingly could not be much more different.

Dickson of course is wound sphincter-tight. He's the absolute definition of intensity, and he's obviously very much in control of Oracle. Oh, and this just in: He's pretty fucking good. Good as in better than anybody else, with the probable exception of Coutts. Still, you get the feeling that if he wasn't Ellison's boy, the crew would just as soon throw his ass overboard, and sail without him. Especially Eric Doyle. Looks like Dicko has told him to pipe down - we don't hear much from him of late. Kind of too bad, I thought Doyle was doing a good job of feeding info. I guess Dickson has enough voices in his head.

Holmberg seems much more like one of the boys, a quick smile and an easy disposition; he too is getting the job done, albeit in a different way. He grits and bears it when Dickson tells him how to steer the boat - he seems to have a firm understanding of the power curve onboard. And he's clearly doing a magnificent job starting and steering. As good as any we've seen

Oh, they are different all right, except in one key area: They both like and know how to win.

Still, Oracle is driven by Dickson's savvy and steely will, make no mistake. Whether or not the team likes him is of no consequence on the water. He's not out to make any friends; he's out to win. And at least on this day, mission accomplished. Give them that foul against Alinghi in Race three, and this baby would be all tied up.

Tomorrow, as they say, is a new day.

1/15/03