Great Britain trail New Zealand 2-0 after the opening two races of the America’s Cup in Barcelona.
Ineos Britannia, bidding to become the first British team to win the America’s Cup, suffered a battery problem in race one which helped the Kiwis to a 41-second victory.
That increased the pressure on Great Britain, who are competing in the America’s Cup for the first time in 60 years, going into race two of the first-to-seven format.
Sir Ben Ainslie’s team kept pace with the Kiwis over the first five legs but the Emirates New Zealand side pulled away, eventually finishing 28 seconds in front.
“Obviously, it’s not the start that we were looking for,” said Ainslie.
“Credit to the Kiwis, two really good races.
“For us, there’s a few things we need to work on. We couldn’t quite match them around the track but I’m confident the team can figure it out, come back tomorrow and get some scores on the board.”
It means Great Britain trail by two going into Sunday, when there are two further races.
There is then a three-day break before races five and six.
Mills ‘proud’ despite Italy defeat
Elsewhere, Italy beat Great Britain to win the inaugural women’s America’s Cup.
A British Athena Pathway team, lead by two-time Olympic gold medallist Hannah Mills, finished eight seconds behind the Italian Luna Rossa team.
The British team, which was created by Mills and Ainslie, aims to improve diversity in sailing.
“We’ve put so much into this. I’m so proud of the team who have worked so hard to get us to this point,” said Mills after the defeat.
“This is for sure just the beginning of women’s sailing in the Cup – I’m so proud to be part of that first women’s event.
“I’m gutted not to win today but for the sport, women’s sailing and for the young girls watching that this is happening – it’s going to be your time next.”
