Ben Ainslie's Land Rover BAR team ended the first day of the America's Cup World Series in Oman in the lead after winning two of Saturday's three races.

Land Rover BAR were hit with a penalty for starting the first race prematurely and causing a minor collision with Groupama Team France, but they battled back to finish third before winning the next two races.

They ended the day four points clear of Oracle Team USA, but four-time Olympic champion Ainslie's team will be put to the test in three more races on Sunday.

The event, being staged in the Middle East for the first time, features the six contenders for the next America's Cup, which will be held in Bermuda in June 2017.

Results from the first day of the America's Cup World Series in Oman on Saturday:

Race 1

1. Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL/Glenn Ashby) 10 points, 2. Oracle Team USA (USA/Jimmy Spithill) 9 pts, 3. Land Rover BAR (GBR/Ben Ainslie) 8, 4. Artemis Racing (SWE/Nathan Outteridge) 7, 5. SoftBank Team Japan (JPN/Dean Barker) 6, 6. Groupama Team France (FRA/Adam Minoprio) 5

Race 2

1. Land Rover BAR (GBR/Ben Ainslie) 10 points, 2. SoftBank Team Japan (JPN/Dean Barker) 9 pts, 3. Groupama Team France (FRA/Adam Minoprio) 8, 4. Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL/Glenn Ashby) 7, 5. Artemis Racing (SWE/Nathan Outteridge) 6, 6. Oracle Team USA (USA/Jimmy Spithill) 5

Race 3

1. Land Rover BAR (GBR/Ben Ainslie) 10 points, 2. Oracle Team USA (USA/Jimmy Spithill) 9 pts, 3. Artemis Racing (SWE/Nathan Outteridge) 8, 4. Groupama Team France (FRA/Adam Minoprio) 7, 5. SoftBank Team Japan (JPN/Dean Barker) 6, 6. Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL/Glenn Ashby) 5

Overall standings after three races

1. Land Rover BAR (GBR/Ben Ainslie) 28 points, 2. Oracle Team USA (USA/Jimmy Spithill) 24 pts, 3. Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL/Glenn Ashby) 22, 4. SoftBank Team Japan (JPN/Dean Barker) 21, 5. Artemis Racing (SWE/Nathan Outteridge) 20, 6. Groupama Team France (FRA/Adam Minoprio) 20
SourcE :AFP