Reports of Dickson's demise have been exaggerated.

Despite rumours and reports, Chris Dickson is still with the Oracle Racing Syndicate.

Don't believe everything you read. A spokesman for Oracle racing told us today: "Chris is still with the syndicate and we are looking forward to working with him - he is still very much with us." This message was reinforced by syndicate CEO, Bill Erkelens who was adamant in confirming that what he called the "afterguard" - Cayard and Dickson - were still firmly in place.

Erkelens went on, "We have over 100 people working in our company and four people have left. That is just normal operating of a business." Suggesting that the rumours had been fuelled by unsubstantiated reports on a number of web sites, Erkelens confessed, "I have been a little frustrated by other people's comments that comment on speculation from somebody else".

The rumours appear to have started following the recent departure of Bob Billingham. Billingham was a key member of Paul Cayard's One America shore team in the last America's Cup and was to have taken on a similar role in Oracle Racing.

The Oracle Racing spokesman suggested that Billingham's departure was as the result of "a review of operations within the Oracle Racing team which established a need to refocus our activities." In addition to Billingham, three other shore crew members, Brad Fitzgerald, Marc Cosby & Don Anderson have departed the team.

At this stage Oracle were unable to confirm if there would be new hirings to replace those who had left commenting only that for the time being "a number of people are taking on extra responsibilities to cover some areas".

Though undoubtedly a hugely talented sailor, Dickson's personality has grated on many of those with whom he has sailed over recent years. In the 1997 Whitbread Round the World Race, pressure from the crew saw him leaving "Toshiba" in Cape Town after the first leg. While he may not be an easy guy to get along with, Dickson's skills as a match-racer appear to be sufficiently prized by Oracle Racing that they have no intention of letting him go.