Sir Ben Ainslie and his BAR crew have won the Portsmouth leg of the America's Cup World Series, but only becuase today's racing has been cancelled.

Racing had been brought forward because of the poor weather to midday, but has now been completely abandoned as torrential rain batters Hampshire.

The America's Cup official Twitter account announced the news.

A statement read:  "After discussions with the America's Cup organising committee due to extreme weather we have had to take the difficult decision to cancel today's racing and Louis Vuitton America’s Cup World Series event programme, and the site has been closed for the day.

"We had hoped to go ahead with early racing, but with winds gusting in excess of 30mph we could not risk the safety of the crews and public, and their welfare is paramount."

The event site has also been evacuated.

Ainslie said: "It’s a real pity for everyone who came down here. We had such a brilliant day yesterday. It’s a shame."

Two races were scheduled for today's 'Super Sunday', with double points on offer towards qualification for the 2017 America's Cup and the event to be attended by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

On Saturday, Ainslie's Land Rover BAR team built a slender lead at the top of the standings after winning the first race and coming in second in the next to sit one point above Emirates Team New Zealand.

The event has already been hit by poor weather with a concert planned as a curtain-raiser on Friday evening also cancelled.

Organisers have announced that there will be a refund available.

"For everyone who booked tickets in the Fanzone Arena and Grandstand today, refunds will be issued through Ticketmaster," it read on the event's website.