KEY POINTS:
Team New Zealand are happy to tune-up with most other yachting syndicates ahead of their America's Cup challenge in just over a fortnight, but the one exception would be defenders Alinghi.
In a pointed question at news conference in Valencia today, strategist Ray Davies was asked if Team NZ planned to practise against the Swiss before the best-of-nine cup match beginning on June 24 (NZT).
The New Zealanders had surprise trials with Alinghi as they prepared to race Italy's Luna Rossa in the Louis Vuitton Cup challengers' final.
But Davies said today: "We probably won't be wanting to line up with Alinghi too much before the match now."
However, Team NZ would be glad to oblige if any of the eliminated challengers wanted to have a race, including Luna Rossa.
"Absolutely, those guys gave us a tough run," Davies said. "It's always more competitive when you sail with someone outside your own team.
"That's what we felt was good about sailing against Alinghi -- it wasn't like dancing with your sister any more."
He said Team NZ got plenty of good racing in-house with their two yachts.
"But it's always a little more competitive when you sail against someone outside," he said.
"So if Luna Rossa want to challenge us, we will certainly take them on."
- NZPA
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