After a close semi-final, Italy and Britain qualified on Friday for the inaugural America's Cup women's event.

The sun was setting over Barcelona as the six-boat fleet battled it out to be the last two.

The black-sailed AC40 monohulls were lifted on hydrofoils just above the surface of the water to race around the course. They reached speeds around 30 knots.

Hannah Mills, the British skipper, said that it was "stressful" to watch the America's Cup broadcast live. She also added that she expects "an exciting and action-packed first head-to-head against Italy on Sunday."

Giulia Conti, an Italian, said: "It is such a joy. I am so happy." (Reporting and editing by Andrew Cawthorne; Alexander Smith)

(source: Reuters)