Sailing-New Zealand take 6-2 America's Cup lead over Britain

Sailing - 37th America's Cup - New Zealand v Britain - Barcelona, Spain - October 18, 2024 Emirates Team New Zealand and INEOS Britannia in action during race eight REUTERS/Albert Gea

BARCELONA (Reuters) - New Zealand took a 6-2 lead in their America's Cup defence on Friday, twice beating the British challengers to move within a point of retaining the "Auld Mug" in the first-to-seven series.

In both races the New Zealand crew skippered by Peter Burling outpaced Britain's Ben Ainslie. The British team's coach said they may have sustained some rudder damage during the second race, making it harder to handle the foiling AC75 boat.

(Reporting by Alexander Smith; Editing by Alex Richardson)