Recently Sports Illustrated released a special issue which
had lists of the 50 greatest sports figures of the century born in a
given state. On the list for Michigan was Dawn Riley. Only 2 other
sailors made this list, meaning that she is one of 3 sailors named to
a list that is 2500 athletes long.
Riley made the list in recognition of her pioneering role
as a woman sailor. Throughout her career Riley has often been the
first women, and also first period.
An example of this patter of dual firsts is her role with the
1992 America 3 team. Not only was she the first woman on an America's
Cup crew, she was team captain and America 3 took the America's Cup.
Riley also participated in the Whitbread's with an all women
crews. Her 2nd Whitbread was the skipper of the all women crewed
Heineken.
Lately Riley's on the water focus has been directed towards
match racing and the America's Cup. She sailed with the America 3
women's team in the 1995 America's Cup. In 1992 she won a pair
of match racing events: The Santa Maria Cup and The Women's Cup.
For this current America's Cup Riley also decided to play
pioneer. After breaking the tradition of all male crews, Riley
decided the best way to win the Cup was with a co-ed crew. She the
founded the America True America's Cup team.
Dawn serves as CEO off the water and Captain while on the
water. Her strategy for America True was to build one boat and get
to New Zealand early and train frequently.
Before the trials began, many assumed if you didn't have two
boats you didn't have a chance. America True has consistently proved
this theory wrong. They have sailed with a high level of skill and
the necessary speed.
As America True's America's Cup success became evident, Riley
gained votes for Sailor of the Year.
It is for this reason, that once again, Riley has been a
pioneering and successful force in sailing that visitors to Torresen
Sailing Site selected her as the 1999 Female Sailor of the Year.
Readers can see a photo essay on Dawn Riley and America
True at: http://bsd.torresen.com/sailingnews.net/report/rileypix.htm