Britain Nears Victory in Thrilling America's Cup Showdown

Britain inched closer to winning the Louis Vuitton Cup, taking two dramatic races against Italy in challenging Mediterranean conditions. British co-helm Ben Ainslie lauded the team's effort, leading to a 6-4 series advantage. The winner will challenge New Zealand for the America's Cup.

Britain intensified the pressure on Italy in their quest to become the challenger for the America's Cup on Wednesday. The British team clinched two high-stakes races, bringing them one point away from winning the first-to-seven Louis Vuitton Cup series. The fierce competition unfolded against a backdrop of enormous Italian and British flags flying over their bases in Barcelona.

Ironclad sea conditions made for a nerve-wracking contest as the AC75 foiling boats navigated choppy waters, reaching speeds exceeding 50 knots. "It's great, good effort from the team ... It's bloody hard to sail these boats in these waves," British co-helm Ben Ainslie remarked during the America's Cup live broadcast after securing the second win, elevating Britain to a 6-4 lead. The victors of this series will challenge defending champions New Zealand for the prestigious America's Cup later this month.

Despite the lead, Ainslie acknowledged the race was far from over. "Still a long way to go ... still got to get to seven," said the 47-year-old with a smile. The British crew survived a tense moment when their boat briefly touched the water, momentarily allowing Italy a chance to catch up. Italy's co-helm Jimmy Spithill conceded they couldn't overtake the Brits, despite strong sailing efforts. The first race saw Britain capitalize on an early lead after a crucial pre-start scrap, while the second race was neck-and-neck before Britain built an advantage through calm communication and strategy.

(With inputs from agencies.)