New Zealand are on the brink of setting up an ill-tempered grudge match against the United States for the 35th America’s Cup after claiming a 4-2 lead over Sweden in the Louis Vuitton challenger playoff final in Bermuda on Sunday.

The first team to five race wins will advance to the Cup match, which begins on Saturday.

New Zealand – who were beaten 9-8 in San Francisco four years ago, having been 8-1 up – are now only one win away from setting up a rematch, despite almost throwing away victory in Sunday’s final race with a poor gybe at the last mark.

The mistake allowed Sweden to come speeding alongside them in a drag race to the finish line, but the Kiwis just about clung on, a late protest from Sweden falling on deaf ears.

“I think I owe our supporters a few beers,” Kiwi helmsman Peter Burling said. “A few of the guys reckon it has taken a couple of years off their lives.