Hence when the revered sailing figure of Dennis Conner came seeking the assistance of one Paula Lewin as crew for next week's Colorcraft Gold Cup the answer was a no brainer.

Or was it? For Lewin, one of the top female sailors in the world and having her own designs on challenging for the treasured King Edward VII Gold Cup, the decision was not so simple.

Yet, in the end Lewin made the move from `Team Black Seal' to the `Real Deal', not only enhancing prospects of actually winning the regatta, but her stature in the sailing world as well.

"I was approached actually before the Gosling's Cup even happened, and my crew and I decided that it would be a good opportunity,'' said Lewin, who placed second to Adam Barboza at the Bermuda National Match Racing Championships.

"It was a hard decision that took me a couple weeks of really thinking hard about it and talking to people, although it really came down to me in the end.

"Somebody put it to me, `If you were to look back and regret something, which one would you regret more?' You don't get this opportunity too often and that (question) did it for me. It's a chance to sail with somebody who is very good, and sails on a professional team.

"From a tactical point of view there's a lot I can offer and also learn, in terms of how they run their boat and any little ideas ... it's just an allround good thing.'' Lewin anticipated her role would be that of trimmer, with Conner bringing in two of his personal crew, one of whom is known to work exclusively as a bowman. And, undoubtedly, Conner is likely to tap into the local knowledge Lewin possesses in terms of the sublime nuances of Hamilton Harbour, as well as her familiarity with the International One Design craft.

"I don't really know what he expects from me yet,'' added Lewin, "but if things go well, and he needs any (additional input), my being a skipper and coaching my girls with their crew work, I think I recognise fairly quickly what needs to happen in the boat, in terms of handling, and tactically and rule-wise I think I can help a lot.

"This'll be, really, the first opportunity where I sail in a boat and can look around the whole time. Normally I'm helming and trying to make decisions and see what else is going on, plus steering, which is pretty limiting.

"So I think I can paint a good picture to him about what's going on and help with his decisions, because ultimately it will be his decision to make.

"I'm very excited. It's just a refreshing change.'' It has also emerged that Conner had actually sought to do some pre-regatta training in the Harbour with Peter Bromby as a `sounding board' earlier this week, but such plans fell through.

Indeed skippers at this year's event will want any edge they can get, with a star-studded fleet on offer, including the likes of reigning America's Cup winning helmsman and five-time Gold Cup champion Russell Coutts of New Zealand, along with top notch match racers Peter Gilmour, Chris Dickson and defending champ Andy Green.

The Colorcraft Gold Cup gets underway on Sunday (9.00 a.m.), with the 16 unseeded skippers taking part in a round robin event that will produce eight qualifiers for the championship round.

Paula Lewin: Set to crew for US sailing legend Dennis Conner during next week's Colorcraft Gold Cup.