Paula Lewin is in serious danger of propping up the rest of the fleet as this year?s Rolex Miami Olympic Class Regatta draws to a climax.

The Yngling skipper is currently 15th out of 16 competitors at the event in Miami ? far from ideal preparation for this year?s Olympic Games in Athens.

Lewin has already qualified for the biggest sporting event on the planet and is in the US fine-tuning her skills.

However, she chose to part company with long-time crew member Carola Cooper beforehand in favour of Christine Patton and this lack of familiarity may be playing a part in her results to date. It is difficult to know the real reasons as has been unable to contact the Bermudian, despite repeated calls.

Lewin, who is also joined by sister Peta in the three-woman team, could console herself with the fact there was a little silver-lining to an otherwise disappointing outing so far. In yesterday?s last race she notched a third, a distinct improvement on her previous finishes of 11th, 14th, 12th, 17th, later discarded, tenth, 17th and 13th.

She has a total of 91 points and has just the American trio of Osmera, Olinger and Braun beneath her going into today?s final pair of races.

Meanwhile, Peter Bromby and Martin Siese are ninth in the Star Class, a drop of five places from Wednesday?s sailing.

Yesterday, the skipper, who is also destined for the start line in Athens, placed 12th and 25th and so lessened his chances of hanging on to the title he won last year.

He, too, was unable to be contacted but is known to be trying out a new mast and it?s possible that perfecting new gear has taken precedence over finishing top of the pile.

Laser skipper Brett Wright also found himself further down the rankings after sailing finished yesterday. Wright finished 44th and 28th and is now 37th overall after starting the day 33rd.