New Zealand faces make-or-break defence bid

A BATTERED Team New Zealand faces a make-or-break challenge today when it confronts Switzerland's Alinghi for the third race in defence of America's Cup, trailing 2-0 in the best-of-nine series.

After being forced by equipment failures to abandon the first race on Saturday after barely 25 minutes and being out-manoeuvred in the final miles after leading most of Sunday's contest, Team New Zealand got a badly needed day of rest yesterday.

Skipper Dean Barker and Team New Zealand syndicate chief Tom Schnackenberg decided not to sail at all on Monday, feeling a break for the crew was more important than practicing their skills or testing newly repaired gear.