Great Britain top group in America's Cup bid

Ben Ainslie's Ineos Britannia squad person topped nan round-robin shape successful qualifying arsenic they bid to go nan first British unit to triumph nan America's Cup.

As group winners successful nan Louis Vuitton Cup up of Italy, nan United States, Switzerland and France, who person been eliminated, Ainslie's squad will beryllium capable to take their semi-final opponents.

But skipper Ainslie has yet to uncover who they will return connected successful nan past 4 successful nan Mediterranean Sea disconnected nan seashore of Barcelona.

"To beryllium honest, we weren't really expecting that," Ainslie said aft beating nan Italian squad successful a sail-off.

"I deliberation we've sewage a speedy package truthful we've conscionable sewage to support that shot rolling."

The victor of nan Louis Vuitton Cup will situation defending champions New Zealand for nan America's Cup - nan oldest world trophy successful sport.

The Louis Vuitton Cup semi-finals return spot from 14-23 September.

14-19 September: Louis Vuitton Cup semi-finals - first to triumph 5 races advance

26 September to 7 October: Louis Vuitton Cup last - first to triumph 7 races qualifies for nan America's Cup match

12-17 October: The 37th America's Cup - nan Louis Vuitton Cup victor takes connected holders Team New Zealand, pinch nan first to 7 title victories winning nan trophy