Yachting: Team NZ not planning to be nice

Azzurra led All4One all the way yesterday after landing a penalty on the German/French boat in the elimination round. Photo / Brett Phibbs

Team New Zealand have selected Azzurra, the Italian team who upstaged the Kiwis in Nice late last year, as their opponents in today's semifinals of the Louis Vuitton Trophy in Auckland.

Azzurra and Swedish team Artemis yesterday booked the final two spots in the semifinals with thrilling wins in a do-or-die sail-off with All4One and Team Origin respectively.

Artemis came from behind to beat the Brits - one of the favourites heading in to the regatta - while Azzurra landed a penalty on the German/French boat All4One and led all the way. Each pair in the elimination round were set to race a best-of-three series but flat, calm conditions on the Waitemata Harbour yesterday forced a change of plans to sudden-death single races for both pairs.

With Emirates Team New Zealand, who topped of the table at the end of the round robin, selecting Azzurra for today's semifinal pairings, Mascalzone Latino are left to face Artemis. The winner of each "first to two points" series will advance to the final.

Team New Zealand skipper Dean Barker said it was always tough choosing an opponent, but he decided to go with Azzurra.

The move will most likely please competition organisers as it guarantees a different pairing in the final to the Nice event, keeping the series fresh and interesting.

"We know the guys well and maybe we will get a little bit of revenge hopefully for Nice. We always have good races against those guys," said Barker.

Azzurra skipper Francesco Bruni said he was confident going up against the home team, who may have a perceived advantage in stronger breezes and their own boats - especially after Azzurra's victory over All4One yesterday. "I think we sailed the boat very well today in difficult conditions."

Racing is set to start at 10am today with fresh conditions forecast.

LOUIS VUITTON TROPHY

Semifinal (first to two wins):

* Team New Zealand v Azzurra
* Mascalzone Latino v Artemis