Bermuda?s world-ranked sailor Paula Lewin is expecting one of her toughest ever regattas on home water when the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club host the Virtual Spectator ISAF Women?s World Match Racing Championships in Hamilton Harbour later this month.

With both the world number one and number two in the fleet, Lewin, currently ranked 11th, is acutely aware that she and sister and crew Peta Lewin will be in for a rough ride when the action begins on October 15.

?Each year there is an increase in the level of competition, especially with the skippers who are returning from last year,? said skipper Paula.

?This regatta has a lot of women from around the world attending and each year they become more savvy and knowledgeable when it comes to the weather and the boats.?

Among those Lewin could possibly face are Claire Leroy of France, rated number on in the world, and her closest rival, Marie Brjorling of Sweden, ranked two.

But that duo also face formidable opponents in the shape of American phenomenon Sally Barkow and her team who just this month swept the Rolex International Women?s Keelboat Championship.

With a scoreline totalling 14 points in 10 races, Barkow, ranked 17 in the world, topped a 42-boat fleet stocked with impressive Olympic level competitors such as fellow Americans Jody Swanson, Betsy Alison and Carol Cronin.

Barkow, who is ranked number one on the US Sailing Team in the Olympic Yngling class, and her crew Carrie Howe, Debbie Capozzi and Annie Lush, are being tipped by some as the team to watch in Bermuda.

When racing begins next Saturday, competitors won?t only be challenging for the ISAF title but also the chance to advance to round one of the Investors Guaranty presentation of the King Edward VII Gold Cup.

The victorious team will take away $5,000, the ISAF Championship Trophy and the opportunity to race against the best male sailors in the sport with a shot at winning the coveted Gold Cup and a large share of the $100,000 prize money.

Another sailor to watch will be Dutch competitor Klaartje Zuiderbaan who is ranked fifth in match racing and was the overall winner of the women?s event in Bermuda in 2004.

Zuiderbaan and her team were then defeated in the Gold Cup by America?s Cup helmsman and top match race sailor Ed Baird.

?It is so great to do both the women?s match race and have the chance to race the final rounds against the men,? added Lewin.

?This is a high profile, well-run event that every woman sailor wants to do.?