If Jane Correia ever decides to change her life totally she could consider joining a circus.

After all, she does a great juggling act ? and it just got more intense!

Already the general manager of Correia Construction and a soccer mum who ? despite standing down as chairman of their board ? remains actively involved with her son?s school, she recently assumed her most challenging assignment.

On March 19, the 41-year-old created history being elected unopposed as the first female commodore of the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club; this a mere six years after the 160-year-old establishment admitted women for membership.

It?s an accomplishment of immense proportion and prestige also given the fact that, as the trailblazer herself put it, ?women were not recognised (at the club) until the early 60s and 70s?.

?Here we are in 2004 and they are finally recognising women instead of segregating us and saying this is a male-dominated world.

?I think it says a lot. They have the confidence that a woman is capable of running a club with the type of reputation that this one has.?

Correia unwittingly began charting her course to this appointment 20 years ago when, thanks to her husband?s love of sailing, she became associated with the club, organising functions and taking on various roles. In 2000, she made waves as the first woman flag officer and rear commodore, graduating to vice commodore in 2002.

?I enjoyed getting to know the staff here and people who you don?t normally come across in everyday life,? said the new lady at the helm.

?It opened doors that I wouldn?t have been exposed to.?

Still, her elevation to the top spot was not at all a foregone conclusion and it was only late last year when the nominating committee invited her to consider replacing outgoing commodore Les Crane that Correia?s thoughts on the matter really began to crystallise.

Her primary concern was the effect such a step would have on her family and work. There were obvious implications. However, her husband, son, stepdaughter and other relatives and friends were extremely supportive and encouraged her to take on the pivotal yet voluntary job.

As the dizzying fanfare of her achievement subsides and the real work commences, the new commodore is acutely aware her two-year term may not always be as smooth as her election and that there?s likely to be a constant, if even silent, assessment of her.

?Because I am the first woman I?m under the microscope and will continue to be under it,? she said.

?Everything I do or say is going to be looked at very, very closely to see if I am making the right or wrong decisions. Am I taking the club in the right direction?

?I don?t have a problem with that. It?s a huge responsibility. You?re not just representing this club but Bermuda also because you?re an ambassador.?

It?s a move about which this self-effacing individual has no reservations.

?I have no qualms whatsoever. I have been mentored and suitably groomed and I?ve had a lot of support from past commodores,? she said as a gentleman pauses to congratulate her.

?I?ve had to prove myself and I?ve done that and, as a result, I have managed to climb the ranks. I?ve earned the respect of the club.

?One of the most gratifying things has been the number of members who have called me and said they are looking forward to serving under me..?

As for being a pioneer and being in some very exclusive company worldwide, Correia regards it as a sign that ?no matter who or what you are if you start on the right road and conduct yourself in a proper manner you can open any door or cross any barrier?.

It?s exactly this kind of opportunity ? to transcend so-called obstacles ? which she wants to use her new found muscle to afford others at RBYC.

?I really want to make a difference,? she said looking out over the scenic Hamilton Harbour. ?I would like to see the club more racially integrated. It needs to reflect the whole Bermudian community.

?This is a private club and I?m not suggesting that it shouldn?t remain so. I?m just saying others in the community should feel welcome to join and use the club.

?I think it?s really important that especially the youth be given an opportunity to be a part of what is their history. I really would like to see those who are not able to afford to sail feel free to come here and seek and be given a scholarship.?

However, to give this initiative some momentum, she disclosed the club will soon make a public announcement on how these scholarships can be accessed.

Apart from this, Correia?s stewardship promises to be extremely busy with a heavy schedule of events slated for the RBYC. Race Week starts in a fortnight followed by the Newport to Bermuda Race in June and the much-anticipated Gold Cup towards the year end. In June 2005, RBYC hosts the Women World Match Racing Championships.

All this, plus work and other commitments, certainly leaves little time for hobbies such as listening to the lyrical musings of reggae godfather Bob Marley, Maxi Priest, Luther Vandross, Celine Dion and Third World.

Correia is taking it all in her stride though, even the teasing from her colleagues who have nicknamed her ?pit bull?; a reference to her tenacity in everything she undertakes and the fact that while she is by nature fun-loving and easygoing she is no pushover.

They have jokingly queried whether they now have to call her ?Madame Commodore? and while the answer to that is a clear ?no?, Correia is determined her legacy will ensure that no-one forgets the first female commodore.