In a shocking reversal of her dominance in the preliminaries, Bermuda?s Paula Lewin was convincingly swept from the International Women?s Match Championship in yesterday?s semi-finals.

Her 3-0 humbling at the hands of eventual winner Klaartje Zuiderbaan of Holland left the Island without any representation in the prestigious King Edward VII Gold Cup starting today in Hamilton Harbour.

The two-time defending champion was sent toppling by a team of flying Dutchwomen whose amazing speed and superior tactics proved unbeatable in each race. The last was particularly devastating as Lewin had a lead of about ten boat lengths at the first mark only to see it virtually gobbled up by the half-way stage as her rival zeroed in for the kill.

It was an astounding about-turn for the hometown favourite who had romped into the semi-finals, ready to seal a hat-trick in this event, with an unblemished 7-0 record in the preliminary, round-robin series.

Suddenly, she looked vulnerable and uncertain and the odd bit of bad luck ? like having the third race restarted because of a huge wind shift just as she was seizing a commanding position ? did not help.

It was a crushing blow to the Island whose aspirations of figuring in the Gold Cup all resided with Lewin. However, she and her crew rebounded to claim third place, winning the Petit Final 2-1 against Italian teenager Giulia Conti.

?We?re happy to finish third. We had a great few days. We were a little bit off today but full credit to Klaartje?s team. They sailed very, very well and they beat us. Unfortunately we came up against a winner in the semis but hindsight is 20-20. It was a tough match but they sailed a perfect day,? said the 33-year-old.

?We made some big mistakes ? a different one in every race. We didn?t have the best day. We sailed better in the elimination round than we did today. Who knows why that was ? maybe a little bit nervous ? but that?s the way it went. Some days are better than others.

?Today was particularly difficult with the wind. It was touching down and bringing pressure from different places and (it was) difficult to predict. I think we needed a little luck to win.

?Today I would have preferred to have been lucky rather than good. It was just not a great day for us but we?re happy to finish third and we congratulate everybody who finished ahead of us.?

Regarding the heart-breaking third race, the Bermudian skipper explained they lost their huge lead on the first downwind leg because Zuiderbaan got ?big pressure? and the latter?s luck with the conditions continued during the second lap in which she overtook Lewin.

?They just got into more of the pressure and it was really big pressure and we just couldn?t recover from it,? stated Lewin candidly.

As for the Petit Final, she stated it was a fight to the end though she won the deciding race comfortably.

?I don?t think I ever felt we had it sewn up,? said the 2003 Female Athlete of the Year who was partnered by her sisters Megan and Peta, Lisa Neasham and Leatrice Roman.

Reflecting on a long, exhausting year, Lewin said she was glad to finish on a relatively high note though not victorious.

?It was a long, difficult year. I learnt a lot but I?m disappointed and ? though we didn?t win it ? we?re very proud of our third (place).?

An underwriter at ACE Tempest Re, she intends to take a step back from the sport and ponder her options.

?I think I?m going to take a deep breath and see what pans out. My job is very important to me and that?s taking priority now. If I can balance match racing in there I?ll certainly jump at the opportunity.

?It?s difficult to do both (work and sail) well and something is going to give. I?ve come off of three years of not being at my job and I?d like to develop that more. So we?ll see but I?m not quitting. It?s too much fun and it?s in my blood. We?re good and we?re proud to represent our country,? she declared emphatically, adding that she would concentrate on match racing rather than fleet racing in the short term as it?s ?economically more feasible?.

Lewin lamented the fact that her exit means Bermuda will have no Gold Cup presence and its sailors will miss out on ?a great opportunity to race among the best?.