Britain took the fight to Italy in their battle to become the challenger for the America's Cup on Wednesday, grinding out a win in a close-quarters contest to take a 5-4 series lead.

Francesco Bruni jokes about being a 'couple' with his co-helm Jimmy Spithill, such is the intensity of the relationship between the sailors who share the steering of the Italian AC75 in which they hope to take on New Zealand for the America's Cup.

Ineos Britannia finally broke the deadlock in their nail biting Louis Vuitton Cup final against Italians Luna Rossa, winning both races on Wednesday to move to “match point” at 6-4 up in the first-to-seven challenger series.

Britain piled the pressure on Italy in their fight to be challenger for the America's Cup on Wednesday, clinching two tight races in "knife edge" sea conditions to go within one point of winning the first-to-seven Louis Vuitton Cup series.

Britain took the fight to Italy in their battle to become the challenger for the America's Cup on Wednesday, grinding out a win in a close-quarters contest to take a 5-4 series lead.With both AC75 'foiling' boats bouncing around in choppy seas off Barcelona,

The British team hit 55.6 knots in the Louis Vuitton Cup final against fancied Italian team, Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli. Both teams ended the race day with four points each. The British team won the first race after the Italian boat nosedived,

Italy recovered from a high-speed nosedive in their first race against Britain on Tuesday, bouncing back in strong winds in the second to level the series in what both teams are framing as a "fight" to become the America's Cup challenger.