Paula Lewin and two of her crew were expected to leave this morning for the United Arab Emirates -- but only after saving the Bermuda Sailing Association from potential embarrassment.

Lewin, Leatrice Roman and Lisa Neasham will hook up with Peta Lewin in London, from where they will head to Dubai to represent Bermuda in the inaugural Women's World Match Racing Championships beginning on Thursday.

The trip, however, did not get off without a hitch after the three were late yesterday sent scrambling to undergo a last-minute screening for drugs.

Officials from Benedict Associates worked into the early evening so that Lewin, Roman and Neasham could comply with rules set down by the Island's new Drug Free Sports Policy.

In what officials concede was an oversight, the three were not told that all athletes competing overseas must undergo a urinalysis before their departure.

Results were expected before Lewin's flight; a positive test would result in the trip being called off.

BSA spokesman Craig Davis, a member of the Bermuda Council for Drug-Free Sports, said the govering body for sailing on the Island has a list of all overseas competitions and was in the process of submitting it to Benedict. The BSA are responsible for advising their athletes "but we didn't realise they were leaving this week,'' he said.

"It was a complete slip-up and hopefully it won't happen again.'' The test did not come in time, however, for Lewin's twin sister, Peta. She has been in London since last week and will not be tested. Davis said the drugs council currently is attempting to close that loophole.

For her part, Lewin said she didn't know anything about the legislation and Davis admitted the incident is indication of the "massive'' eduction that needs to take place before the April 1 deadline for total compliance.

It is currently not stated in any documentation that athletes must be tested but sports groups, in agreeing to the policy, are operating on an honour system.

Lewin, 26, hopes this is the only complication she has as she sets out to live up to her number-one ranking. Rankings, however, are loosely based on a series of informally-attended regattas; this is the first time an official champion will be crowned. "We are so excited!'' said Lewin earlier. "It's not only that we're going to a new place but it's also doing something we love.'' The four will compete in J-22s against 27 teams from around the world over the next two weeks.

Lewin said she and her crew "feel very confident'' about their chances. "We know the competition and we know what we're capable of, so we're just hoping that it will all come together.'' One thing they don't know are the conditions at the entrance to the Persian Gulf, where racing will take place. (They are more than 800 milles from potential military action in Baghdad).

Lewin anticipates a warm, steady 10-15 mph desert breeze.

Lewin, Roman 41, and newcomer Neasham, 32, face one disadvantage: Lack of practice time.

They have managed to put in sporadic time in a J-24 here -- but only when the weather co-operates. "It's been brutal,'' Lewin said. Weekends, especially have witenessed poor weather, leaving the four to head out during their weekday lunch hours.

ON THE WATERFRONT -- Paula Lewin (centre) will skipper her crew of Leatrice Roman (left) and Lisa Neasham in the world championships starting this week in Dubai. Not pictured is crew member Peta Lewin.