Riley, Dawn (1964–)

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Riley, Dawn (1964–)

American sailor. Born 1964 in Detroit, MI; graduate of Michigan State University.

Sailed with 1st all-women's Whitbread Round the World Race team (1989); became 1st woman invited to try out for an America's Cup team (1991); won 1st place in Santa Maria Cup, Baltimore, Maryland, and Women's Cup, Portofino, Italy (1992); was team captain of the 1st all-women's crew in America's Cup (1995); set a record in 153-mile Newport-to-New-York Race (1997); named Rolex Yachtswoman of the Year (1999); became 1st woman to manage and captain an America's Cup team (2000); served as president of the Women's Sports Foundation board of trustees (2003–04).

See also autobiography (with Cynthia Flanagan Goss) Taking the Helm (Little, Brown, 1995) and Christina Lessa, Women Who Win (Universe, 1998).