U.S. challenger BMW Oracle won the opening race of the 33rd America's Cup on Friday, beating Swiss holders Alinghi by more than 3 kilometres (2 miles) in a stunning display of hi-tech sailing.
Software mogul Larry Ellison's BMW Oracle started badly but was clearly faster than Ernesto Bertarelli's Alinghi and opened a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three series with surprising ease.
The second race between the giant multi-hull yachts is scheduled for Sunday off the Spanish port city of Valencia.