By SUZANNE McFADDEN
Kiwi sailing legend Chris Dickson has been reunited with one of his old America's Cup boats to help out a foreign challenger.
Dickson spent the two days before Christmas sailing with Dawn Riley's America True syndicate, which meant driving NZL39, the boat he raced in San Diego in 1995.
It was the first time Dickson had sailed the boat he knew as Tag Heuer on New Zealand waters.
In 1995, the Bruce Farr-designed yacht was shipped directly to the United States, where it made the semifinals of the Louis Vuitton Cup.
"Sailing the boat in Auckland has completed the circle so to speak," Dickson said. "We had a New Zealand challenger that I never sailed in New Zealand.
"Something was missing. Getting behind the wheel here was very nostalgic for me."
In the next few weeks, Dickson hopes to climb behind the wheel of his original Cup boat, KZ7, which began New Zealand's remarkable America's Cup story.
The past week has also been a reunion for Dickson and America True's Kiwi helmsman John Cutler, who sailed together for the Nippon challenge in 1992.
They squared off in 20 starts and four short races over the two days of practice in light airs on the Hauraki Gulf. Dickson, a veteran of three Cup campaigns, says he took all of five seconds to get into sync with the boat again.
Dickson is a self-described "gun for hire" in this America's Cup. He has helped three challengers, including round-robin leaders Prada, by tuning up against their helmsmen.
"I'm just having fun - I'm not privy to anything," he said. "I can't say I miss being involved directly in the America's Cup this time.
"Last time around the big objective was to bring the Cup to New Zealand. I started the job with KZ7 in Fremantle, I didn't finish it, but the job was done."
Riley was thrilled to have Dickson as guest skipper for a couple of days.
"It's always great having someone new - but it's even better when it's somebody new with experience, talent and who really knows the boat," she said.
NZL39, once battleship grey but now white, is used to a Kiwi hand. In Auckland it has been driven by New Zealanders David Barnes, Kelvin Harrap and Gavin Brady (now sailing with AmericaOne).
Dickson was, as always, impressed with his old boat: "The Tag boat is very well suited to the gulf. She's very difficult in pre-starts, but very good on the racecourse.
"She's been overtaken by the '99 generation yachts, but she was probably the second or third-fastest boat in San Diego last time. If Team New Zealand hadn't won the cup, maybe she would have."
Dickson, now racing smaller, quicker Tornadoes for a spot in next year's Olympics, would like to drive KZ7 in the Auckland Anniversary Day regatta next month.
KZ7, the "Plastic Fantastic," has been brought from Italy by owner Sir Michael Fay after winning the world 12m championships this year.
"I haven't managed to catch up with Sir Michael yet, but if the opportunity is there, I would love to sail the boat again," Dickson said. "It's great putting them through their paces again."
Yesterday, Dickson was revelling in his first Christmas as a dad, at home with his wife, Sue, and their daughter, Grace.
This time last year he was driving Sayonara to victory in the fated Sydney-Hobart race, but it is not a fond memory.
"I was thinking how much more fun it is to be at home with my family instead of pounding through Bass Strait in a hurricane."
Wheel turns full circle for Dickson
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