AUCKLAND, New Zealand -- All eight skippers looked tense while attending a news conference Monday. The stakes are much higher now as the challengers work to advance in the trials. Only one team earns the right to take on Team New Zealand.

The New Zealand team has been watching carefully and working hard. The word from the Kiwis is that they have some tricks to unveil for Race 1 of the America's Cup on Feb. 15. Frequently on television here is an advertisement that unites all 3.8 million in New Zealanders behind the Cup effort. The final shot is a tight frame on the eyes of skipper Dean Barker. This kind of ad puts huge pressure on the 29-year-old sailor.

Every competitor seems to be in a groove. They understand their boats and are anxious to advance. The Race Committee, under principal race officer Peter Reggio, has received high marks for managing the races in very tough conditions. But the America's Cup Race Committee will be different. In 2000, the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron was criticized for delaying the start of races in light wind that favored the challenger and varying the length of the starting line depending on the side of entry by the hometown team. When New Zealand was on starboard, the line was short, putting the Italians at a distinct disadvantage. But when New Zealand was on port, the line was 100 meters longer giving more maneuvering room. The challengers should be prepared for such shenanigans.

The umpires meet with the sailors after every race to discuss the rulings. It seems all parties have become comfortable in the standard being set. This same umpiring crew will be on the water for the America's Cup match.

Here is an overview of the quarterfinal matchups:

Alinghi (13-3) vs. Prada (10-5)
Alinghi continues to be the favorite. They're sailing the same boat. Speculation is their second boat is even faster, but they are holding back until they need it. In round robin 2, Prada came from behind in five races to win by capitalizing on mistakes. They had hoped to sail their modified second boat for this round but they say it was not ready. Translated, it means it is slower.

Oracle (12-4) vs. OneWorld (13-3)
OneWorld has decided to sail their second boat. They would only make a change if this boat is faster. The crew has sailed well throughout the trials although suffered a mini slump toward the end of round robin 2. Oracle improved dramatically and won seven consecutive races with Chris Dickson calling the shots. Oracle looks to be considerably different in design than OneWorld, Alinghi or even New Zealand. If this team keeps rolling, it could go all the way.

Oracle owner Larry Ellison looked comfortable Sunday shooting hoops on the half court of his 245-foot yacht, Katana. OneWorld's strategy is to find a way to unnerve the hyper Dickson. OneWorld skipper Peter Gilmour and Dickson have been archrivals for 15 years on the match-race circuit.

Victory (7-9) vs. De Defi (2-14)
The Swedish team has been a pleasant surprise. They face an improving French squad that features a new helmsman this round.

Stars & Stripes (6-10) vs. GBR (7-9)
These two teams split races in the first two rounds. Stars & Stripes unveils its newer boat, USA77, for this round. The team has spent the past week working on crew work and boat-handling, something that was deficient in round robin 2 when they went 2-6. Reports are the new boat is slightly faster. GBR has not made any changes.

OneWorld management summed up the competition by saying that they felt they were in pretty good shape until they had four practice races in September against Alinghi. Since that time they have been working hard to make improvements. Alinghi must have been quite fast. Over the weeks, OneWorld has made progress.

It is these kinds of adjustments that the challengers hope will give them the edge over Team New Zealand. In the meantime, every race now counts in the best-of-seven quarterfinals. Two teams go home within a week. Two more teams will go home at the end of the month. The four survivors start the semifinals Dec. 9.

In 1977, Gary Jobson served as tactician to win the America's Cup for Ted Turner. ESPN's lead sailing analyst, Jobson is writing a weekly column during the Challenger Trials. E-mail him at garyjobson@cs.com or check out his Web site at jobsonsailing.com.