Team New Zealand will go up against Luna Rossa in the America's Cup ©Getty Images

Team New Zealand will go up against Luna Rossa in the America's Cup which starts in Auckland tomorrow.

Defending champions Team New Zealand will compete against Prada Cup winners Luna Rossa in the 13-race series. 

Competition is scheduled to begin tomorrow and runs until Monday (March 15).

The winner will be the first team to score seven points. 

Luna Rossa thrashed Ineos Team UK 7-1 in the Prada Cup final last month, but Team New Zealand, led by skipper Glenn Ashby, are considered the favourites. 

Helmsman Pete Burling, wing trimmer Glenn Ashby and flight controller Blair Tuke also feature in the team. 

Pete Burling was confident of Team New Zealand's chances in the America's Cup ©Getty Images
Pete Burling was confident of Team New Zealand's chances in the America's Cup ©Getty Images

"We've hit some pretty good speeds," Burling told The Telegraph.

"Definitely nowhere near the 60-knot region. 

"But higher than anything we've seen in any of the racing so far. 

"We think we're in a pretty good place."

The opening weekend of racing in the America's Cup was postponed due to the enforcement of a COVID-19 lockdown in Auckland.

Competition had originally been scheduled to start on March 6.