Jane Correia awoke this morning with a title no woman has ever held before in Bermuda ? Commodore of the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club (RBYC).

Her elevation to that stellar post at last night's annual general meeting places her among a very select elite worldwide and heralds a new dawn for the 160-year-old establishment.

"I'm humbled and overwhelmed and looking forward to the challenge," she said yesterday, prior to being elected unopposed as Les Crane's successor.

Correia, who turned 41 last week, admitted a few nerves though she has known for some time this day was coming.

"It's only just starting to sink in today (yesterday). I've got some butterflies but I know by tonight (last night) I will be fine. It's just hitting me what this means in terms of being the first woman to be commodore of the yacht club.

"It's not something I was looking for. If anybody had said to me 15 years ago that I would be commodore of the yacht club I would probably have laughed. At that point women still weren't allowed in the main bar of the club."

This trailblazer is however no stranger to firsts as her 20-year involvement with RBYC has seen her transcend many barriers, becoming its first female Flag Officer, Rear Commodore and Vice Commodore. She served in the latter capacity for two years and will do the same in the top position.

It's a historic step about which Correia has absolutely no reservations.

Correia has also received great support from her family ? husband, Dennis; son Max and stepdaughter Danielle.