Defending champions Great Britain secured victory in the opening round of this year’s SailGP championship.

Helmed by Dylan Fletcher, they won two of three fleet races before holding off Australia and France in the winner-takes-all final on the second day of racing in Perth.

Fletcher described it as “an incredible result”, adding: “We’re stoked. Right now, I feel on cloud nine.”

Four-time Olympic gold medallist Ben Ainslie, the team’s chief executive officer, said he was “so proud” of their efforts.

Great Britain were crowned SailGP champions in Abu Dhabi in November.