World-renowned sailor joins Women at the Helm
“One lucky team of sailors will enjoy a major advantage at this year’s Women at the Helm – Irene Prezio Race for Hope,” says Andre St. Jacques, event Chair. Dawn Riley, one of the world’s best-known sailors, will join one crew for the August 29th race.
Dawn Riley was the first woman ever to manage an entire America's Cup syndicate, the first American, man or woman, to sail in three America's Cups and two Whitbread Round the World races and is one of the forerunners in providing community access into the sport of sailing.
Dawn is also a past President of the Women's Sports Foundation. She is a much sought after motivational speaker and her business interests include recreational environment design and development and product development consulting for the sports market.
Dawn Riley will address event participants at a Skipper’s meeting, where a draw to determine which team she will join will take place. “Including Dawn in the Women at the Helm – Irene Prezio Race for Hope is our way of marking the 10th anniversary of the event and demonstrating our appreciation to the participants for their support,” says St. Jacques.
The Women at the Helm – Irene Prezio “Race for Hope” features women-helmed sail boats in spinnaker and non-spinnaker races. The event supports the Northern Cancer Fund of the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation. The event is named in memory of the late wife of Gary Prezio of title sponsor Prezio Electric. “I am proud of the impact the ‘Race for Hope’ has, and will continue to have, on cancer care in Northwestern Ontario,” he says.
To date, more than $335,000 has been raised in the event’s 9-year history. The funds help make Hope possible by supporting cancer research, awareness and care here in Northwestern Ontario.
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For further information, please contact:
Tracie Smith, Senior Communications Officer
Tel: 807 684 7111 Cell: 807 621 9438
Tracie.Smith@healthsciencesfoundation.ca
