Paula Lewin's much-needed third crew member got some much-needed boat time on the weekend.

Lisa Neasham, returning to sailing after an absence of more than five years, aced an audition with the world's second-ranked female skipper and then helped her claim third place in the Osprey Cup match-racing regatta in St.

Petersburg, Florida.

Neasham's arrival couldn't have come at a better time as Lewin, along with regular crew Leatrice Roman and Peta Lewin, count down towards the inaugural women's world championship next March in Dubai.

"She's turned out to be excellent,'' Lewin said.

"I'm so relieved and refreshed to have someone from Bermuda. It's great.'' American Carol Newman had been sailing with the three but world championship rules stipulate the entire crew must be from Bermuda.

Neasham, 35, has some experience in IOD racing and previously was crew for Peter Bromby and Paul Fisher in Bermuda Fitted Dinghies. But she has spent the last few years concentrating on work -- she has her own boat maintenance company -- until hearing "through word of mouth'' that Lewin needed a fourth.

"I just thought it would be a good experience,'' said Neasham, who takes over the all-important jib spot.

"Because I have no real background in sailing, it makes it easier. I'm learning the job the way (Paula) wants it to be done instead of coming in with preconceived notions of how to do it. We seemed to get along well.'' Now Neasham hooks up with one of the Island's most accomplished sailors, with a trip to the Middle East on the horizon. "Actually, it wasn't until we were on the plane heading to St. Petersburg that I found out that's where the worlds were,'' she laughed. "I'm looking forward to it.'' So is Lewin, who found plenty to smile about despite losing 2-1 in the best-of-three semi-final to US rival Betsy Allison.

In addition to Neasham, she had to sail with another newcomer, Char Doyle, from the host St. Petes Yacht Club, who was standing in for kite trimmer Peta Lewin. Peta and Paula -- twin sisters -- both work at CAT Ltd. but only Paula could get away during the Christmas season.

And then Doyle had to be replaced by her sister-in-law, Margaret, after two days, leaving Lewin and Roman to break in a total of three new crew during a four-day regatta that featured virtually all of the world's top women sailors.

In addition, blustery winds made for "very trying'' conditions, said Neasham.

"I worked some muscles I didn't know I had.'' Said Lewin: "It was all a bit of a mess so I'm really happy with where we finished.'' Sailing Sonar class boats, Lewin posted a 10-8 mark in the double round-robin, before bowing out to Allison, who ended up taking the overall title with a win over Drew Slattery in the final.

The result could throw the next world rankings into a tailspin: Allison was third, just behind Lewin, while Helena Stangerwald, who was first heading into the competition, had to settle for seventh in Florida.

Sonars are similar to the J-22s that will be sailed at the world championships. Lewin said she was hoping to get in another regatta prior to the trip, perhaps a fleet race in J-22s in February.

Paula Lewin