Italy and Britain qualified on Friday for the first America's Cup women's event, beating four other teams after a tight semi-final match.

The sun was setting over Barcelona as the race to reduce the six boats to just two came down to the last minute. Spain barely missed out despite winning the series' final race.

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, a British skipper, said: "That was stressful."

It's an amazing experience to be part of the first Women's America's Cup final. We are all very happy. "We will take a moment to enjoy the moment, and then we will focus on an action-packed and exciting race against Italy," Mills said.

This event was welcomed by women as an opportunity to learn about the latest foiling boats, which were dominated by males. It also improved the chances for women in professional sailing at the highest levels.

"I'm so happy, it's a great joy," said Italian co helm Giulia Conti about reaching the final head-to-head, which organizers announced would now take place Saturday, one day earlier than originally scheduled.

New Zealand, Spain, the Netherlands and Sweden were the other teams that made it to the semi-finals of the event.

On Saturday, the challenge for the America's Cup begins, as Britain takes on New Zealand, the holders of the "Auld Mug", which is billed by many as the oldest sporting trophy in the world. It was first awarded in 1851, and no British boat has ever won it. (Reporting and editing by Andrew Cawthorne; Alexander Smith)

(source: Reuters)