SAN FRANCISCO, CA, June 7, 1999 - America True CEO and Captain Dawn Riley won the Santa Maria Cup yesterday, becoming the only sailor to win the regatta twice in its nine-year history. Riley won the Santa Maria Cup in 1992 but said today that her victory this year is a much sweeter success.

"We came in as the long shot," said Riley. "The demands of organizing America True have prevented me from concentrating on the match racing circuit. We didn't expect to win, but we never lost our cool. We never panicked." One member of her crew, Liz Baylis, will compete with Riley in America's Cup 2000 beginning this October and they are taking every opportunity to hone their skills for the match.

On Friday, however, it was clear that Dawn and crew were becoming a force to reckon with in this year's Santa Maria. The team of four, including Riley's former America3 teammates Lisa Charles and Melissa Purdy, went undefeated in seven races.

The Santa Maria Cup, hosted by Eastport Yacht Club in Annapolis, Maryland, is an international match race that lures the world's best women sailors. Each year, the host organization chooses one sailor to fill a wild card slot. Riley was this year's wild card selection. Her team beat Shirley Robertson of Great Britain in the Santa Maria finals on Sunday to win the event.

"The racing was very tough throughout the entire regatta," said Riley. "Most races were decided by a boat length or less, some within inches. But, we were in control the whole time. We kept it quiet and kept improving all along."

Some of the hardest fought racing occurred in the semi-finals on Saturday between Drusilla Slattery and Riley. Slattery led at the top mark, according to the EYC web site. But Riley, "drawing from her considerable experience in America's Cup and Whitbread sailing, attacked hard from behind and closed the gap at the first leeward mark." She went on to beat Slattery in the semi-finals to move up and race Robertson for the championship.

America True is The San Francisco Yacht Club challenge for America's Cup 2000. Led by CEO and Captain Dawn Riley, America True is the first America's Cup syndicate managed by a woman. Capitalizing on superior technology and an experienced, coed team, America True's mission is to win the America's Cup in 2000. Along the way, we are working to expand the sport of sailing by making it more accessible through our community outreach programs like True Youth, our web site, and our visitor center.

America True's world headquarters, store and visitor center are located at Pier 17 on San Francisco's historic waterfront. America True's New Zealand compound and store are located at Base #10A at The America's Cup Village in Auckland. For more information, please call (415) 433-4287 in the U.S. and 64-9-359-9140 in New Zealand. America True