Land Rover BAR Academy completed the ultimate smash-and-grab to snatch the Red Bull Youth America’s Cup from New Zealand Sailing Team’s grasp on the Great Sound.

The Kiwis were shaking hands in celebration as they crossed the finish line to complete a clean sweep of yesterday’s three races, only to look back in horror as BAR Academy, needing to finish in the top three to claim the title, clawed their way up to second on the final leg after SVB Team Germany had hit the mark.

New Zealand had dominated the final day as overnight leaders BAR struggled to a fourth and fifth-place finish in yesterday’s opening two races; races four and five of the finals.

When helmsman Logan Beck steered the defending champions to their third win in race six, the British boat was languishing in fifth ahead of the final downwind run.

However, a chaotic turn of events resulted in Team Germany spearing the leeward gate with their genneker pole and Team Tilt, of Switzerland, and Artemis Youth Racing were both hit with penalties, allowing BAR Academy to surge into second and win the Cup by a two-point margin from the Kiwis.

The British team could not believe their luck with “hats off to the Kiwis” all the words the crew could initially muster.

For New Zealand, it was a galling way to lose their crown.

“It’s a bummer we didn’t get there in the end,” Beck said. “But I think the boys are really happy with the way we raced today; clean starts, clean racing and came away with three great results.”

For the British team, who were joined by Sir Ben Ainslie for the celebrations, it was reward for their persistence despite winning only one of the six races.

“We had some slightly bleak thoughts for a little while watching on in that final race,” Rob Bunce, the BAR Academy skipper, said.

“We were just praying for an opportunity from somewhere and then we saw the drama that was unfolding in front of us; that was our opportunity.

“It feels fantastic to be able to bring the trophy home with us.”

Despite their mishap in the late stages of the final race, Team Tilt did enough to secure third-place honours.

“I think my team fought hard all the time,” Sebastien Schneiter, the team helmsman, said.

“We were in a lot of difficult positions after a bad start, but we were always fighting to come back and at the end that’s what made us able to get that third place.

“The points were so tight that every point was really important.”

Roman Hagara, the Red Bull Youth America’s Cup sport director, has high expectations for the Class of 2017.

“Look for the sailors you’ve seen here in this 2017 edition of the Red Bull Youth America’s Cup to be in the next America’s Cup four years from now,” he said.

“These young talents are the superstars of the future, and after seeing the level of skill and competitiveness they’ve shown here in Bermuda, there’s no doubt they’re going to take the sport to the next level.”