WHAT hasn't already been said about Paula Lewin probably isn't worth saying.

She's been a unanimous choice for Athlete of the Year on four occasions, she's consistently competed against and beaten the very best in women's sailing, and earlier this week she was again crowned Women's International Match Racing champion, compiling an immaculate record - nine wins against nine opponents in an elite fleet.

But all that might just pale into comparison against what she achieved a day later on Hamilton Harbour - a thumping 3-0 whitewash over a man she quite rightly described as a ‘sailing legend'.

At 62, Dennis Connor might not pose the same threat as he once did, but make no mistake he remains one of the world's most knowledgeable and successful competitors, a sailing icon if ever there was one.

Indeed, his triumph in the America's Cup and his deep involvement with that series has had a direct impact in making it the monumental media event that it is today.

And outside of the America's Cup, Conner has always been regarded as one the world's best match-racers.

So Lewin had every right to feel thrilled. It was a stunning victory, and one that could do wonders for her and her crew's confidence as they continue their build-up to next summer's Olympic Games in Athens.

Hopefully, what Wednesday's win hasn't done is overshadow another local triumph of no less importance.

Sunfish sailing doesn't perhaps carry the same prestige as Gold Cup match-racing, but those who compete can do no better than win the world championship.

And last Saturday that's exactly what Malcolm Smith did - again!

Coming as it did on the heels of his silver-medal winning performance at August's Pan-Am Games, the victory yet again highlighted sailing as the sport in which Bermuda enjoys most international success.

It may not be our national sport, but its success rate continues to outstrip all others.

Both Lewin and Smith deserve some sort of official recognition. They've done the Island proud.

BERMUDA FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION again found themselves under fire this week - from their own affiliates.

But on this occasion, the governing body should stick to their guns.

The decision they made - some might describe it as an ultimatum - insisting that every junior club registering with the BFA put forward a member who could be trained as a referee, or face expulsion from the league, was spot on.

As noted in this column last week, the BFA should have gone a step further and made the same requirement for all senior sides.

Those clubs complaining that they weren't given sufficient time to implement the new regulations - a complaint that would appear without substance if, as stated by a BFA official this week, they were first informed of the changes early this year - seemingly haven't grasped the gravity of the situation.

The referee shortage in Bermuda at both junior and senior levels has reached crisis level.

And the only way it can be resolved is for every club involved in the game to play their part.

If from their ranks they can't find just one member willing to help officiate, then they should be made to pay the price.

Until the message gets through that we're all in this together - players, coaches, officials and even fans - and it's not just the BFA who run the show, then the game will continue to stumble from one crisis to another.