3 Jun 2017

Team NZ top of the table after win over France

10:10 am on 3 June 2017

Team New Zealand have won their opening race of the day over Team Japan by a comfortable 51 seconds at the America's Cup in Bermuda.

Team NZ's hulls remained dry during the first leg of the race against France, and stayed that way.

Team NZ's hulls remained dry during the first leg of the race against France, and stayed that way. Photo: Twitter / @EmiratesTeamNZ

After destroying Team Japan by 51 seconds earlier this morning, helmsman Peter Burling and his crew breezed past Team France in their second race of the day.

France finished even further behind Japan, crossing the line a whopping four minutes behind Team New Zealand.

And the New Zealand boat managed to keep both its hulls dry against the French, staying up on its foils 100 percent of the time.

The win pushes Team New Zealand to the top of the round robin ladder ahead of defenders Team USA who lost to Team Sweden earlier this morning.

However, the US team has two races tomorrow to New Zealand's one - although one is against the black boat.

Team New Zealand have already qualified for the challengers' semi-final, and should they win tomorrow they will gain a bonus point.