KEY POINTS:
Team New Zealand has been pitted against Italian syndicate Mascalzone Latino for next week's opening flight in the Louis Vuitton Cup elimination series.
The New Zealanders will only race once on the opening day as they have the bye in the second flight.
Mascalzone Latino back up helmsman Cameron Dunn believes his team is emerging as a real dark horse in the competition after finishing second challenger behind Team New Zealand in the recent America's Cup pre-regatta, beating out more favoured teams Oracle and Luna Rossa.
Dunn says the result has given them confidence that they are right in the hunt.
He says it is fair that Team New Zealand, Oracle and Luna Rossa are still considered the big three challengers, although lesser-fancied teams such as Victory, Areva and +39 are also very dangerous.
Dunn thinks it will be the closest Louis Vuitton Cup ever as the teams all have good speed in certain conditions and have the ability to take races off anybody.
The Louis Vuitton Cup gets under way on Monday night.
As for the America's Cup in June, Dunn believes it is tough to see anyone beating Alinghi.
He says after a commanding win in the final pre-Cup regatta in Valencia, Alinghi has proved it is overwhelming favourites to retain the Cup, no matter who is the final challenger.
- NEWSTALK ZB
