Team New Zealand has taken the first steps in its European campaign for the 2007 Americas Cup with race yacht NZL 82 loaded on a container ship bound for Italy on Wednesday.

Also on board is NZL 57, the trial yacht from the successful 2000 defence which has been sold to the French K Challenge syndicate.

The team's tender, a 40ft container loaded with sails, gear and spares and another container holding a complete workshop are also on board along with a chase boat.

The yachts will be offloaded in Italy and then towed to Marseille, with NZL 82 to compete in America's Cup pre-regattas in September and October both in Marseille and Valencia.