Land Rover BAR top the table in Fukuoka

Sir Ben Ainslie’s team moved a step closer to claiming overall victory after a winning performance in Fukuoka today.

The two-year series is in Japan for its final outing, before 35th America’s Cup takes place in Bermuda in 2017.

Ahead of this morning’s three races, BAR topped the standings by 14 points ahead of Team Oracle USA.

But they have now stretched that advantage by a further point after an impressive day in Japan’s fifth largest city.

Ainslie & Co opened their account with victory in race one – coming home ahead of Emirates Team New Zealand and Artemis Racing.

A third-place finished followed, with Softbank Team Japan rewarding the home fans for their enthusiasm with a popular victory ahead of Oracle.

And a good day on the water was completed when BAR secured another podium place in the final race of the day after coming second behind the Americans.

Emirates finished third.

Translated into points, BAR finished day one on 27 points, with Oracle close behind on 26.

Emirates sit in third place on 23 ahead of Super Sunday’s races, where double points are on offer.

Tomorrow’s races begins at 4.30am GMT.