GBR Challenge overcame a nightmare start to earn their first point in America's Cup challenger racing yesterday.

The British team earned a penalty for entering the start box more than two minutes after they had been told to.

But their French opponents Le Defi went further and collected two penalties in ferocious pre-start jousting.

In the closest match of the day, the French were never able to gain a margin which would allow them to execute their penalty turn and retain the lead. Le Defi's largest lead was 25 seconds.

When Le Defi made their penalty turn in front of the finish line, the British syndicate was able to sail past and record their first win of the series - by 13 seconds.