Yachting: Team NZ ready for Spain's dark horses

Team New Zealand are due to square off against home town favourites and dark horses Desafio Espanol today, the second day of competition in the America's Cup act four in Valencia.

Emirates Team New Zealand were expected to race France's K-Challenge and Mascalzone Latino overnight - both of which have New Zealand connections, with the French racing former black boat NZL60 [now FRA60] and former Team New Zealand tactician Hamish Pepper sailing with the Italians.

With neither expected to challenge the Grant Dalton-led New Zealand syndicate, Team New Zealand's first real test could come today when they line up against Spain's Desafio Espanol.

Although it always touch and go whether a Spanish team would make it to the starting line, the purchase of the old OneWorld boats has given them a strong platform.

With the regatta being sailed on their water some, including Alinghi strategist Murray Jones, believe the Spanish could be the ones to watch. The team is predominantly Spanish but includes Polish helmsman Karol Jablonski and Swede Jesper Bank. Prior to their first race last night Team New Zealand skipper Dean Barker said his team were happy the regatta was finally upon them, giving them a good opportunity to see how they stack up. "We have had a good summer on the Hauraki Gulf testing - but the true test is when you get out on the water and race hard," he said.

"The team has been together for eight months. People have got to know each other, know how they work and how they sail.

"We are feeling good, but we are realists, so we'll see how we get on."