Sailing-Team USA storm to win over French in first America's Cup race

May 27 (Reuters) - Oracle Team USA got off to a flying start on the first day of the America's Cup racing in Bermuda on Saturday, comfortably beating Groupama Team France.

The U.S. crew, who are defending the cup they won in San Francisco in 2013, got the better start and quickly showed superior speed as their 50-foot (15 metre) foiling catamaran lifted out of the water on its hydrofoils.

Conditions in Bermuda's Great Sound were near perfect for the race, with winds of 10-12 knots and flat water allowing the two boats to "fly" on their foils.

Skippered by Australian Jimmy Spithill, Oracle Team USA reached speeds of at least 42 knots as they left the French crew in their wake. The high-tech catamarans can reach speeds of up to 50 knots (92.6 kilometres per hour).

The U.S. crew used a fixed cycle at the back of their boat to help generate the hydraulic power which is needed to control the foils and the towering "wing" sail which drives the craft.

The French crew appeared to struggle to keep their boat on its foils during some manoeuvres, with their hulls occasionally plunging dramatically into the crystal blue waters, allowing the U.S. team to extend their lead during each of the seven legs.

Six races are due to take place on Saturday after the opening day was postponed from Friday due to near gale force winds which would have made it unsafe to race. (Reporting by Alexander Smith in London, editing by Pritha Sarkar)