Yachting: Team New Zealand back on the Gulf

Team New Zealand is back racing on the Hauraki Gulf on Tuesdayas part of its preparations for Valencia 2007.

The America's Cup team starts a new schedule of in-house racing, with one of the black boats up against the German boat the team bought last year.

It will put Team New Zealand's two prospective helms - Dean Barker and Ben Ainslie - up against each other.

Team New Zealand operations manager Kevin Shoebridge said they desperately need to race, rather than test.

He said they can test all they like in a straight line, but they need to feel the pressure of racing from time to time.

He said it keeps everyone fresh and thinking.

Shoebridge said they have even called in a proper race committee from the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron.

Team New Zealand is also tipped to confirm a new addition to their family of sponsors on Tuesday morning.

- NEWSTALK ZB