Red Bull Youth America's Cup: Thriller final: The Kiwis win, the Brits win

Everything was already clear: After the British team Land Rover BAR Academy had dominated the fleet on the first of two final days in the 2nd Red Bull Youth America's Cup off Bermuda, the NZL Sailing Team was able to turn the tide dramatically on the second day. With three victories in races 4, 5 and 6, the Kiwis - just like their role models Peter Burling and Emirates Team New Zealand - raced to the front of the field. Until shortly before the end of the regatta, it looked as if the New Zealanders would be able to defend their title from the 2013 Red Bull Youth America's Cup. This was because the British, who had been so convincing the day before, wobbled alarmingly in the final sprint.

But then a serious right of way infringement occurred at the last turning point before the final sprint. The Swedes obstructed SVB Team Germany, who were in third position, to such an extent that the Germans rammed the heavy buoy and dropped back to fifth place. The penalty against the Swedes no longer helped skipper Max Kohlhoff and his crew. The chaotic situation resulting from the incident turned the race on its head. The Brits, who had already been left behind, avoided the resulting tangle of boats, made up several places and surprisingly overtook the almost celebrated near-winners from New Zealand in the overall standings.

The Brits could hardly believe their luck at the finish line, cheering like mad, but then immediately decided to seek out the Kiwis and congratulate them on their three race wins in a row. "We take our hats off to their performance," said one of the British sailors fairly. The NZL Sailing Team skippered by Logan Dunning Beck had won all three races of the day on Wednesday. The fact that it was still not enough to defend the title won four years ago by Peter Burling and his Red Bull South America's Cup crew and to make a successful overture for the possible Cup triumph of Emirates Team New Zealand next weekend was simply due to extremely unusual circumstances. Co-commentator Roman Hagara said on ServusTV during the live broadcast: "I've never seen anything like it. This has nothing to do with sailing. This is the luck of the world!" However, it should not be forgotten that the young Brits with their helmsman and 49er sailor Chris Taylor also performed very well on the first day of the final with 2nd, 2nd and 1st place, so the overall victory was not undeserved.

The SVB Team Germany leaves the Cup archipelago of Bermuda in seventh place in the field of eight finalists and the fleet of twelve participants in total. The young sailors from northern Germany and Berlin have shown that they can certainly keep up with the big Cup campaigns of their competitors. A few small mistakes, an annoying early start at the beginning, a penalty, a defensive start in the first race of the second final day and the mishap of suddenly becoming a "Swedish snack" prevented a much better placing. And so, in the end, the favourites took the podium places: the Land Rover BAR Academy team ahead of the NZL Sailing Team and the Swiss Team Tilt, supported by two-time Cup winner Ernesto Bertarelli.