Aucklander Gavin Brady will sail on Oracle's USA71 for the first time this week in an International America's Cup-class regatta in San Francisco.
Brady, 29, was given the nod as Oracle's new helmsman last week and will help organise the sailing crew and training for the Sausalito Cup- the first of four International America's Cup-class regattas to be held in San Francisco.
"I am very excited about being able to take part in the next America's Cup with Oracle," Brady said on Oracle's website.
"My goal now is to concentrate on improving my helming and match-racing skills so that I can be at the top of my game for the next America's Cup," he said.
Brady sailed on Tag Heuer in 1995. He was in the AmericaOne afterguard in 2000 and with Prada in the last challenge.
He has won world championships in the Mumm 36 class twice and has claimed world titles in IMS and 50-footers as well as last year's One Ton Cup.
In 2000, he represented New Zealand at the Sydney Olympics in the Star class and is aiming to again compete for his country in the Athens Olympics next year in the same class.
Oracle BMW Racing chief executive Chris Dickson believes Brady is "the best young helmsman in the match-racing world".
"He is young, determined and exceptionally talented."
Brady will share the helming duties with Oracle boss Larry Ellison in the three-day Sausalito Cup regatta, which starts on Friday.
The four IACC regattas are open to owners or charterers of vintage and current America's Cup-class boats. Following the Sausalito Cup is the Il Moro Trophy regatta, on July 25-27, before the Golden Gate Series in September and the IACC Worlds in October.
America's Cup holders Alinghi, French syndicate Le Defi, and Dawn Riley's K-Yachting are all expected to compete in the Golden Gate Series and the Worlds.
