The starting gun will fire for the first time in the Louis Vuitton Pacific Series today, with the opening day of round robin match-ups.
Four races are scheduled for day one in Auckland, with Emirates Team New Zealand opening their campaign against newly formed Italian syndicate Damiani Italia.
In the other Pool A match, French team K Challenge will take on China Team.
The second race of the day between Team Origin of Great Britain and Italy's Luna Rossa is expected to be the most competitive match-up on day one.
Alinghi are expected to be untroubled in their first race, taking on newcomers Greek Challenge, who until two weeks ago had never sailed an America's Cup yacht.
First round robin, racing starts at 11am
Pool A
K Challenge (USA 87) v China Team (USA 98); Team New Zealand (USA 98) v Damiani Italia (USA 87).
Pool B
Team Origin (NZL 92) v Luna Rossa (NZL 84); Greek Challenge (NZL 84) v Alinghi (NZL 92)
