America's Cup champions New Zealand advance to Barcelona Regatta final

America's Cup defending champion Emirates Team New Zealand secured a berth for the final at the Barcelona preliminary regatta on Saturday as Britain and France also got off the mark.

New Zealand dominated Switzerland's Alinghi Red Bull Racing in the final race of the day to maintain their 100 percent record after four races and will compete in Sunday's final.

Italy's Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli have three points and are second overall, ahead of third-place NYYC American Magic on two points, both competing to face New Zealand with one round of matches remaining.

Earlier Ineos Britannia secured a 33-second win over the Swiss to put their first point on the board in their third race.

"It's better than the previous couple of races," said British skipper Ben Ainslie.

"Alinghi did a nice job hanging in there and made it difficult for us."

However in Britain's second race on Saturday they made early mistakes and were issued boundary penalties, leading to a comfortable victory for Luna Rossa.

French team Orient Express beat the Americans to secure their first point of the regatta.

The United States' team, who have impressed over the first two days with their rapid AC75 boat, were forced to retire after rudder issues.

On Saturday after the remaining races, the top two in the table compete in a final match to decide the regatta winner.

The America's Cup is the oldest international sporting trophy in the world, with the event first held off the Isle of Wight in 1851.

It begins next week with a round robin tournament to decide the challengers to face defenders New Zealand in the October final.