Hot rivalry and weather sure to bring out the best

Hot competition and great weather should ensure jumps of more than 65m in the New Zealand waterski and wakeboard championships at the Orakei Basin in Auckland this weekend.

Steve Cockeram and Kyle Eade, who finished fifth and 11th at last year's world champs and fifth-equal in the world pro-tour, lead the locals. Australians, Britons and an Italian will also compete.

Powerboats will rule the water off the Hibiscus Coast tomorrow for round three of the national championships.

The America's Cup International Regatta winds up this weekend. Team New Zealand will race either OneWorld or Victory Challenge in this afternoon's final, and there will be a fleet race tomorrow from Tiritiri Matangi Island to the Auckland Harbour Bridge.

MetService predicts blue skies and plenty of sunshine over the next few days.

This month has seen more mixed weather than usual, with eastern areas taking a battering from storms and high winds.

Most of the country, apart from Auckland, has had lower-than-normal temperatures.

Wellington has had twice its average rainfall already this month and groundsmen at WestpacTrust Stadium are struggling to prepare the pitch for today's one-day international between New Zealand and England.