Team New Zealand has lost two unofficial warm-up races against Alinghi in Valencia today.

In preparation for its upcoming Louis Vuitton finals races against Italian competitor Luna Rossa, the New Zealand syndicate has joined forced with reigning America's Cup holder Alinghi.

It is believed Team New Zealand lined up in NZL84 but it is not clear which boat Alinghi used. Newstalk ZB reported both syndicates were using their older boats - NZL84 and SUI91.

American Ed Baird was believed to be helming the Swiss boat.

And according to TVNZ, the two syndicates, who have previously unofficially raced in build-up to the regatta, once again locked horns in Spain.

In the first of the day's two races, in winds rising to nine knots, New Zealand skipper Dean Barker gained control of the favoured right-hand end after edging out Alinghi's Ed Baird.

A wind shift to the right favoured New Zealand but, despite the favourable conditions, Barker's crew still trailed by 20 seconds at the top mark. Stretching its lead out to 26 seconds on the back of a sound downward leg, Alinghi and Emirates Team New Zealand agreed to end the race.

Recommencing at the start line, Barker once more edged out his rivals to take the favourable right-hand side early as the wind rose to 14 knots. And in stark contrast to the opening race, it was Emirates Team New Zealand who was ahead by eight seconds at the top mark.

However, the crew's jubilation was short-lived as the reigning America's Cup champions regained control of the lead and the race followed shortly after.

Grant Dalton said their motivation for the trial was purely crew practice ahead of meeting Luna Rossa.

"After a week of non-racing, for Dean it was a good opportunity to get starting against someone different rather than in-house," Dalton told Radio Sport. "It was more about getting our guys re-energised before Friday. I thought it was a really good day. "Dean won both starts, I thought. We certainly got what we wanted."

Dalton doubted whether Alinghi would learned too much from the New Zealanders.

"We took our old boat, had a different configuration of our keel, bulb and rudder. It was an old mast and old sails," he said. "We didn't want to risk showing them our weapon and them ramming us on purpose. That sort of thing goes on."

A journalist from the yachtingworld website concluded that Alinghi looked quick but showed some weaknesses.

"From watching the boats close up there was little doubt that Alinghi ... has speed but lacks poise," the website said. "Compared to the Kiwis their sail handling wasn't as slick as Barker's crew with a dusty leeward drop and some shaky gybes".

"The Kiwis on the other hand looked slick and professional in their manoeuvres, but lacked pace."