Dean Barker and Mandy Smith, the golden boy and girl of New Zealand sport, are apparently an item.
Barker, who captained Black Magic to its final victory in the America's Cup, and Smith, who became the pin-up girl for New Zealand hockey at the Olympics, have been the subject of intense
interest in the sports world since being seen together at a wedding two weeks ago.
Associates of the couple have confirmed word of the romance and say it is possible the pair will formally acknowledge the relationship at a public appearance in mid-December.
Mandy Smith's spokeswoman - who also manages Dean Barker - would only say: "They are just friends."
Smith, aged 28, who has played more than 100 hockey tests, works for television marketing company and sports bar Leftfield. She split with former All Black and Warrior Marc Ellis after the Olympics.
Dean Barker is competing in a yachting regatta off Miami, Florida.
The 27-year-old is skipper of the new Team New Zealand, which will defend the cup in 2003.
