The wait -- for some the wait of a lifetime -- finally ended early today as Bermuda's athletes plunged into action in these Millennium Games.

By the time Royal Gazette readers pick up this morning's newspaper, swimmer Stephen Fahy will already have set the ball rolling after taking part in the 200 metres Individual Medley heats (see story this page).

Ready to follow were equestrienne MJ Tumbridge in the first stage of the Three-Day Event, the dressage. Bermuda's 1999 Pan-Am gold medallist was listed as 13th in the order of competition at Sydney's magnificent equestrian centre some 30 miles west of the city at Horley Park.

And back in the harbour Sara Lane Wright was ready to hoist sails for the first two races in the 11-race Europe Dinghy regatta.

With most of Bermuda's contingent having arrived in the Games Village two weeks ago or more, an air of anticipation hung over their lodgings.

Tumbridge, in particular, was anxious to get on with the job at hand as she faced what for her could be the most crucial stage of the event.

Following a final veterinary horse inspection late on Tuesday evening, which Tumbridge's mare, Bermuda's Gold, passed with flying colours, the 36-year-old Bermudian returned to the Village for an early night.

Her coach Patrick Rolfe admitted it had been a long and nervous wait for competition to begin.

"We've been here now for over two and a half weeks, we've seen the team competition come and go, and it would have been nice for us to have been competing a week ago,'' said Rolfe.

"From that point of view it's been tough on everybody because the horse really wants to go. She's sound, she's happy and the rider's ready to go. We just need to keep her ticking over and hope that nothing goes wrong.'' Following the success in Winnipeg last year, Rolfe said that despite a much tougher entry in Sydney he was confident MJ would be a contender.

"I'm going to stick my neck out and say that we would really on form expect a top 10 finish.

"We know from our experience at the Pan-Ams that it all depends what happens on the day. At this level you need to be there or thereabouts and after that it's in the lap of the Gods. But I think a top ten finish is realistic.'' Rolfe, however, stressed that today's dressage was crucial.

"It's vital,'' he stated, "far more important than I thought it would be before I'd seen the teams go on the cross country. I thought a good time would be very difficult to get on the cross country and it would take a lot out of the horses. In the event, it didn't do so, certainly not the good horses.

"So that puts the emphasis back on the dressage and that for us is almost make or break.

"But Bermuda's Gold has improved out of all recognition in the last year.

That said she is a thorougbred, she's raced, and so she, as you would expect, is highly strung.'' Among Tumbridge's rivals today are virtually all of the top riders in the world, including New Zealand's 1996 Atlanta gold medallist Blyth Tait, compatriot Mark Todd, a former world champion, and members of the Australian trio who snatched gold in the team event from Great Britain yesterday.

As for sailor Wright, her competition will be equally tough in a fleet of 27.

Atlanta gold medallist Kristine Rouge of Denmark is back to defend her crow n while silver medallist Margriet Matthysse of the Netherlands and America's bronze winner Courtenay Dey have also returned.

Weather permitting, two races will be sailed on today although light air earlier this week has seen some of the other classes forced back on shore and their events postponed.

MJ Tumbridge: starts three-day event today.

EQUESTRIAN RAH