The grey-flecked hair matches. So do the blue-green eyes, and the smallish stature. But the true clincher is the passion for sailing. Not to mention the love of adventure.

Meet the Marquis of Aguilafuente Mr. Diego Colon, direct descendant of Christopher Columbus.

Count great 20 times, add the word grandfather, and you have the 41-year-old's link with the New World navigator.

He carries the name of one of his famous forebear's two sons, Diego.

The father-of-three has paid Bermuda a big tribute by flying here for the 500th anniversary of Columbus' discovery of America.

With countless other invitations on the table, he chose the Island to make his own New World discovery.

"I've never been here before, and I knew it would be a beautiful place to go.

I'm perhaps the first Columbus ever to set foot here.'' Last night he played a star role at the Bermuda Maritime Museum's special Columbus exhibition.

Among the exhibits is the wreck of an ancient Spanish ship, Santa Lucia , which was snared by Bermuda's reefs.

Although he can't quite boast his forebear's seamanship, Mr. Colon is a passionate and successful sailor.

He has been the technical director of the Spanish America's Cup team for the past three years.

"I just love sailing, and have been involved in races since I was very young.

I adore going out with my wife and children in our boat.'' It wasn't a sailing career that beckoned, however. Instead the youthful Diego became an architect.

But has the name Columbus helped him navigate his own life? "I am proud of my ancestor, but I have been brought up to be proud of myself and my own job. I think it's very important to establish your own identity.'' But Mr. Colon, who hails from Majorca, does feel a sense of responsibility in carrying the family name: "I am a representative of Columbus, and I always have this in mind.'' The family tree has also had other impacts -- including such physical characteristics as premature greying. "I went grey when I was 21, and the same thing happened to Columbus,'' he laughs.

Of the current controversy surrounding Columbus, and the treatment of American Indians, Mr. Colon is surprisingly even-handed.

"I sympathise with the Indians, and I do actually have some Indian blood in me,'' he said. "I don't consider Columbus a saint. He was a genius as a navigator, but not so good as an administrator.'' AGE OF DISCOVERY -- Mr. Diego Colon, a direct descendant of Christopher Columbus, views a Maritime Museum display with Premier the Hon. Sir John Swan last night.