Riley Races in Santa Maria Cup
By Sharael Feist
June 2, 1999
Twelve four-woman crews will represent seven nations in Santa Maria this year. Among the countries involved are Sweden, Denmark, and Great Britain. The teams will race on the popular J-22 one design sailboats June 2-5, with finals taking place on June 6.
“These are the best women sailors in the world,” said Jeff Borland, Santa Maria Cup Co-Chair. “The winner of this event could very well go on to win the Women’s World Championship race this Fall in Italy.”
Riley will lead her team against tough competition that includes six of the top 10 women sailors in the world, including number one ranked Paula Lewin. A veteran Santa Maria Cup racer who won the event in 1992, Riley said this year she’s in it for fun and practice.
One of the fiercest sailing competitions in the world begins tomorrow. The Santa Maria Cup demands strength, knowledge, and fast reflexes, but it’s no place for a man.
The regatta, hosted by Eastport Yacht Club in Annapolis, Maryland is an international match race that lures the world’s best women sailors. America True CEO and Captain Dawn Riley, a previous Santa Maria winner, is scheduled to compete along with 11 other teams.
“This race is important to us because Eastport Yacht Club is a very supportive True Ally,” said Riley. “Since I’ve been busy preparing for the America’s Cup, I haven’t had time to compete on the women’s match racing circuit. But, Annapolis is great, and the event is well organized, so we’re just going to get out there and have fun.”
Riley’s Santa Maria crewmates will include America True team member Liz Baylis. Lisa Charles and Melissa Purdy, Riley teammates from the America3 campaign, will round out her crew. The sailors will race on a fast, 4-leg sausage shaped course less than a 1/2 mile long.
The Boat U.S.-sponsored event is by invitation only. Competitors are invited based on the ISAF ranking, with one wild card slot filled by a sailor chosen by the host organization. This year, Riley is the wild card.
“We are extremely excited about having Dawn compete in the Cup,” said Borland. “Having someone with her abilities and presence has brought recognition to the event.”
The Santa Maria Cup grew as an extension to the Columbus Cup nine years ago in an effort to involve women in the Annapolis regatta. Santa Maria soon attracted far more interest than the men’s event, and the Columbus Cup was dropped. Now, the Santa Maria Cup is one of the most important women’s international match races.
ESPN2 will broadcast the event on July 3 at 3:30 p.m. (EST). In conjunction with the Santa Maria Cup, Eastport Yacht Club also hosted a True Youth sailing event, and a Wine Seminar and Reception. Watch for upcoming Web site stories on these and other events.