Mighty Mary Won’t Turn to Isler for Help Downwind
Dawn Riley said J.J. Isler won’t be returning to America 3’s Mighty Mary crew, but Riley is available to steer on the downwind legs.
The 15 women plus tactician-starting helmsman Dave Dellenbaugh will be eliminated from the America’s Cup if they lose two of their last three races in the defender finals.
When Bill Koch replaced Isler with Dellenbaugh in the semifinals last month, Riley strongly endorsed the controversial switch. She serves as port pitman on the boat.
In an America Online forum this week, Riley was asked if there was any chance Isler would rejoin the crew.
“Not at this point,” she said.
Asked about an ESPN report that she might relieve Leslie Egnot at the helm downwind, drawing on her experience in two Whitbread Round-the-World Races, Riley said: “I am always ready because Leslie’s neck isn’t 100%. I have steered a boat around the world twice downwind.”
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