She has not been match racing seriously for more than a year but Paula Lewin thinks she has some significant advantages heading into a historic sailing weekend in Bermuda.

One of eight female skippers in the inaugural Bermuda International Women's Match Racing Championship - part of the Bermuda Gold Cup - starting in Hamilton Harbour on Saturday, she says she and her crew "have the potential to do well".

"We haven't been actively match racing for over a year so I don't think we are on top of our game. However, I am sailing with women whom I've done this with for years so it comes back quickly.

"I think we have an advantage in knowing the waters and knowing the boats. That should help us. They (International One Designs - IODs) are very difficult and different to what's used on the circuit which tend to be lighter, smaller boats. An IOD is very heavy and takes some getting used to."

Additionally, she noted, the recent Bermuda National Championship was "a great warm-up" for this international all-women's event from which the winner and the runner-up advance to the Round One of the Bermuda Gold Cup championship later next week.

Lewin (31) not only has her sights set on a sizeable share of the $15,000 prize money at stake in the women's match racing contest but is also aiming to pass the Gold Cup's first round.

"To win the women's event would be fabulous and, if we could get through Round One (of the Gold Cup), that would be pretty darned good."

The lone local in the fleet is under no illusions about the task ahead as she has competed against American Liz Baylis, Swede Marie Bjorling and Klaartje Zuiderbaan of The Netherlands; three of the seven women coming to test her on her home turf - or rather surf. While the remaining four are unknown to her, she believes those with whom she is familiar "will give us the hardest time".

Having had to compete among men in past qualifiers, Lewin is thrilled women have a separate qualifier this year.

"It's great. It gives the women an opportunity to get used to the boats and the place before they butt heads with the men who I think have an advantage in these boats because they are stronger. Plus it's going to increase interest with prize money."

She and her crew - her twin sister, Peta Lewin; Carola Cooper, Lisa Neasham and Christine Patton - have been juggling practice with their full-time jobs but weather conditions have not been kind to them.

"We have been trying to practise in the mornings but there has been absolutely no wind for the last couple days.

"We are just working on boat-handling really. There's always more you can do but things are going well," explained Lewin, sponsored by Ace Limited.

The Bermudian, who in July qualified for the 2004 Athens Olympics in the Yngling Class, has taken part in the Gold Cup on five previous occasions. She was helmsman three times and, for the past two years, she was part of former America's Cup winner Dennis Conner's crew.

The inaugural Bermuda International Women's Match Racing Championship starts Saturday with round-robin competition before next Tuesday's final. All eight competitors are assured prize money with the winner receiving $5,000 and the runner-up $3,000. Round One of the Bermuda Gold Cup championship begins next Wednesday.