Three days out from the much-anticipated return of Rally New Zealand, some of the event's top drivers have tried something a bit different, with their sailing skills put to the test on the Waitemata Harbour.
While Kiwis Hayden Paddon and Shane van Gisbergen looking forward to the home rally, one driver also has a special connection to New Zealand and its waters.
It's a far cry from the gravel of the Whaanga Coast and the top rally drivers had their work cut out on the Waitemata Harbour, but for Italian driver Lorenzo Bertelli, the Auckland Harbour and sailing are nothing new.
"Since I was really young, I have been sailing in America's Cup, and then obviously because of the company and my parents, I've always loved sailing in general," he said.
That company is fashion giant and America's Cup sponsor Prada.
Son of Miuccia Prada, Bertelli made his first visit to New Zealand in 2000 and it's a place now dear to his heart.
"In 2000 and 2003, I was quite young for the America's Cup with Luna Rosa," he said. "The country and the landscape is amazing, I'm sure happy to come back here."
He will swap the grinder for the steering wheel, after a call-up for Rally New Zealand, beginning this week.
Bertelli is one of many overseas drivers looking forward to what's regarded as one of the best stops on the calendar.
"One that I enjoy most, I'm really excited," he said. "Roads are amazing smooth, camber, nice gravel, medium fast stages, so super exciting."
Bertelli's not the only driver feeling the same way.
"I'm pretty excited," van Gisbergen said. "Something I've always dreamed of doing, so to take part in it, it's pretty awesome."
The Kiwi Supercars champion admits he has a bit to do as a rally car driver, before the Thursday start.
Straight after the race, he'll dash back across the Tasman to compete at Bathurst in just over two weeks.
"It's hard having the co-driver, and learning the road and stuff," he said. "I'm a long way off and I've got a lot to learn, but it's so much fun as well."
