Sailing-French crew score their first America's Cup win

Underdogs Groupama Team France won their first race of the America's Cup contest in Bermuda on Sunday, beating Sweden's Artemis Racing in a thrilling duel at speeds of up to 40 knots.

The French crew, one of five challengers seeking to take on Oracle Team USA in the final next month, sailed their 50-foot (15 metre) foiling catamaran far more confidently after losing both their races on the opening day on Saturday.

Conditions in Bermuda's Great Sound were once again ideal and France got the better of pre-event hot shots Sweden at the start, with the winds and flat water allowing the two boats to "fly" on their foils.

The French kept their composure and outmanoeuvred Artemis, gaining ground by finding more wind on one side of the course. Although Artemis pushed them hard to the end, Groupama Team France managed to cling on to their lead and crossed the finish line three seconds ahead of the Swedish crew.

Groupama Team France had appeared to struggle to keep their boat on its foils during some manoeuvres against defenders Oracle Team USA on Saturday, with their hulls occasionally ploughing into the water and losing them precious time.

(This article has not been edited by DNA's editorial team and is auto-generated from an agency feed.)