LAND Rover BAR enjoyed double success on the first day of racing in the America’s Cup at Portsmouth.

The British team, led by Sir Ben Ainslie, won races two and three on Saturday at the Louis Vuitton America’s Cup World Series Portsmouth event.

They were roared on to victory by a partisan home crowd, as thousands of people lined the shores on Southsea seafront to watch the high-tech catamarans in action.

The day didn’t start well for the Land Rover BAR team, as after a photo finish at the end of the first race they were classified as finishing in fifth place. Groupama Team France won the race, with Oracle Team USA second and Emirates Team New Zealand in third.

Looking back at race one, Sir Ben Ainslie said: "It was very tight racing in quite light and difficult winds. We got caught out in the first race.

“We were in a strong position and then got stuck with Japan and both of us sailed ourselves to the back of the fleet from second and third which was really frustrating."

Land Rover BAR stormed to victory in races two and three to hold the joint lead in the overall standings with Groupama Team France overnight.

In race two they were followed home by Oracle Team USA and SoftBank Team Japan in third, and in race three Groupama Team France finished second and SoftBank Team Japan were third.

Land Rover BAR wing trimmer Paul Campbell-James said: "It is absolutely amazing looking towards the shore and seeing that many Union Jacks and hearing the cheers.

“It really pumps us up and we end pulling the ropes a bit harder and turning the drums a bit faster."

The overall standings after day one’s racing were 1. Land Rover BAR and Groupama Team France 26pts; 3. SoftBank Team Japan and Oracle Team USA 23pts; 5. Emirates Team New Zealand 20pts; 6. Artemis Racing 17pts.

The event is due to conclude today (Sunday) with three more races, starting at 1.30pm in the Solent off Southsea seafront.