STORY: INEOS Britannia fights back to win first two races in America's Cup final
SHOOTING TIME: Oct. 16, 2024
DATELINE: Oct. 18, 2024
LENGTH: 00:01:05
LOCATION: BARCELONA, Spain
CATEGORY: SPORTS

SHOTLIST:
1. various of the first regatta with the problems of Team New Zealand and the first victory of INEOS Britannia on Wednesday in Barcelona
2. various of the second regatta with the second victory of the INEOS Britannia on Wednesday in Barcelona

STORYLINE:

INEOS Britannia put some life back into the final of the 37th America's Cup in Barcelona on Wednesday when they won both of the day's regattas against reigning champions, Emirates New Zealand, to give themselves a chance of a fightback in the most important sailing competition in the world.
   
The British yacht went into Wednesday in danger of a whitewash after being well beaten in the first four races of the first-to-seven final, but the crew captained by Ben Ainslie were at their best in the day's two races to give themselves a fighting chance of overhauling the New Zealand vessel.
   
INEOS Britannia won the first race after an error from the New Zealand boat ahead of the start.
   
Emirates New Zealand went to the edge of the permitted limits of the course and was forced to change direction, meaning INEOS Britannia began the race with a massive 1,600-meter advantage over their rival.
   
The New Zealand crew were able to eat into that lead, but they were never in a position to win the regatta, giving the British crew their first triumph in the final and a slim hope of a fightback.
   
INEOS Britannia also got a better start in the second race, taking a seven-second advantage over the start line, and they were able to hold onto that slender lead throughout a tense race in which neither crew made any mistakes.
   
"We have got back to our best. It's been a great day and great work from all the crew, we are continuing to improve and also to learn, and we have to continue pressuring them (New Zealand)," commented Ainslie at the end of the day.
   
The next two races are on Friday, with the tournament scheduled to finish this weekend.

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Barcelona, Spain.
(XHTV)