The New America's Cup...

BMW Oracle, K-Challenge and Mascalzone Latino will compete in the Pacific Series yachting regatta off Auckland in February.

America's BMW Oracle, which is engaged in a court battle with the holder of the America's Cup - Alinghi of Switzerland, confirmed it would send a team to the competition organised by Louis Vuitton.

France's K-Challenge, which finished eighth in the last Louis Vuitton event, will send a team led by Sebastien Col.

"This new challenge integrates perfectly in our programme," said Stephane Kandler, K-Challenge's president.

The Pacific Series matchracing event opens January 31 and runs to February 14 using Team New Zealand class America boats and involving at least six of the America's Cup crews, including Emirates Team New Zealand, in Waitemata Harbour.

Three races are to be scheduled each day on a 3km windward-leeward course.
The unofficial race is not a part of the America's Cup competition.

A source close to Mascalzone Latino of Italy said on the sail-world website the team will participate, and that an official announcement was expected soon.

South African team Shosholoza, which competed at the America's Cup for the first time in 2007, will also join, a source close to the team told AFP. - AFP