week's Bermuda Gold Cup could be the springboard to a full-time career in the sport.

Lewin, rated 48th in the world in the latest Omega rankings, has the chance to boost that standing by qualifying for the first time for the last 16 of a competition which matches amateurs and up and coming pros against the world's elite sailors.

And she admits: "If I started to do really well, I guess I would like to go full-time. It's a nice living.'' When Lewin, who currently works for re-insurance company CAT Ltd, last appeared in the competition two years ago, three victories in the round-robin stage against seven other unseeded racers was insufficient to propel her through to meet the big boys. This time she hopes to go one better.

But among the sailors she must overcome first is fellow Bermudian Peter Bromby, winner of successive Island national championships in 1996 and 1997.

In the latter, Lewin was the defeated finalist.

And if she comes through the qualifiers she could find herself up against world number two Peter Gilmour or world number three Ed Baid in the last 16.

Alternatively, France's Luc Pillot or Germany's three-time Olympic gold medallist Jochen Schumann, who ripped through the qualifiers to dump the seeded Bromby from proceedings last year, will attempt to block her progress.

So how does she view her chances? "Realistically, making the sudden death stage would be great,'' she says. "Of course we all want to go as far as we can, but it's really tough. They're all pros. That's all they do.'' Her task is made tougher still by the class of yachts used in the event. Lewin usually races J-22s or Etchells, but the one-design boats present their own challenges, not least of which is their weight.

She explains: "The heel of the boat -- the part which goes through the water -- is solid lead; the boats I usually sail are extremely light. One thing you have to be aware of coming from light to heavy is that it can take some of these boats two minutes to get up to full speed.'' However, she refuses to be overawed and the prospect of giving her home crowd something to shout about is one she welcomes rather than feels intimidated by.

"I think I handle pressure well,'' she says. "I try to enjoy the races and I won't be putting any extra pressure on myself. It's good to have people rooting for you.'' She is backed up in the event by her crew of three: twin sister Peta and husband and wife team Gary and Leatrice Roman. "It's a real family affair,'' she agrees, "but we're all great friends and they're fantastic sailors.

"As a skipper I like to be able to delegate a bit -- get one person to look for the breeze, another to watch the sail trim. I'm open to suggestions, but you have to have a game plan and we'll discuss this before every race.'' The Gold Cup qualifying rounds take place tomorrow and Monday, with eight sailors going through to the last 16 on Wednesday where they will meet the eight seeds. The quarter-finals will be held on Friday, with the semis the following day and the finals on Sunday, October 12. All races take place in Hamilton Harbour.