snatch victory from the jaws of defeat

get wind in one's jaws

To have too much to say; talk too much; run at the mouth; to speak one's mind or voice one's opinion about a matter; blabber

snatch defeat from the jaws of victory

To suddenly lose a contest one seemed very likely to win, especially through mistakes or bad judgment.

snatch the pebble

To fully grasp the meaning of a concept or to develop a skill to a high degree of proficiency, often that rivals some specific expert.

victory at sea

Ocean conditions that are very windblown and messy, possibly to the point of being inimical to surfing and other watersports.