Britain and Italy will contest the inaugural Women’s America’s Cup final on Saturday after advancing through a four-race semi-final in Barcelona.

A British Athena Pathway team led by Hannah Mills won the third race on Friday and held off boats from Spain, Sweden, New Zealand and the Netherlands to progress.

Racing in high-tech foiling AC40 monohulls, lifted just above the water on hydrofoils, the black-sailed boats reached speeds of around 30 knots as they sped around the course.

“That was so stressful,” said Mills on the America’s Cup live broadcast.

The two-time Olympic gold medallist in the Women’s 470, added: “It’s amazing to be in the first ever Women’s America’s Cup final. We are all so happy.

“We will enjoy this moment and then focus on what I’m sure will be an exciting and action-packed race against the Italians.”

The event has been welcomed as a pathway to gain experience in the state-of-the art foiling boats which have been dominated by men, improving the opportunities for women at the highest level of professional sailing.

“It’s such a joy, I’m so happy,” said Italian co-helm Giulia Conti on reaching the head-to-head final, which organisers say will now take place on Saturday, a day earlier than previously scheduled.