international match racing championship which was held in the waters off Annapolis, Maryland over the weekend.

Lewin, who won a bronze medal at the Pan American Games earlier this year, had nine wins and three losses in 12 races, providing champion Jody Swainson of the USA with her only real challenge. Swainson, a former yachtswoman of the year, was a perfect 12-0 and defeated Lewin in a crucial race yesterday.

Lewin was leading that race virtually all the way until Swainson pulled a crafty move on a turn to defeat the Bermuda sailor.

But Lewin's second place finish and record was all the more impressive as she finished ahead of Melinda Berge of Annapolis who compiled a 7-5 record and Courtenay Becker-Dey at 6-6.

Becker-Dey was the navigator aboard Mighty Mary in the recent America's Cup defender series.

Top sailors from the USA, Canada and Croatia competed in the four day regatta, which saw only one race completed on Saturday due to light winds.

Lewin left for Annapolis immediately after competing in last Wednesday's season-opening fitted dinghy races in St. George's Harbour.