Taking the Helm: One of America's Top Sailors Tells Her Story

by Dawn Riley, Cynthia Goss

By the time the U.S. Women’s Challenge had completed the first leg of the 1993-94 Whitbread Round-the-World Race, the crew was riven by dissent, financial problems, and personal conflicts. Only a new captain could save the all-women’s team from mutiny and lead them to a successful finish. When Dawn Riley received an unexpected phone call from Uruguay asking her to take on the assignment, she was not eager to step into the midst of a fractured crew—and yet she knew she needed to keep this boat in the race. She packed up her life and flew south. After four days of hasty boat preparation and group training, the women set out from sunny Punta del Este, unprepared for the perils of the treacherous Southern Ocean. In their streamlined, stripped-down vessel, the crew faced near-hurricane winds, numbing temperatures, and jagged icebergs. Eating freeze-dried food and working in four-hour watches, they braved the forces of nature in the face of physical injury, dwindling supplies, equipment failure, and overall exhaustion. In the midst of it all, bitter resentment was brewing among the original crew members while the controversy over Riley’s takeover made headlines on land. As the boat sailed on to complete the arduous six-leg race, this female crew and their boat—renamed Heineken for its new sponsor—circumnavigated the globe. But these women traveled much farther than the race’s 32,000 with each leg and each new test, this crew learned to rally under their captain’s leadership when their very survival was at stake. In recounting how she took responsibility for the lives of eleven other women, Riley tells an extraordinary story of self-discovery within the gripping context of the world’s most demanding sailboat race.

Genres: Nonfiction

302 pages, Paperback

First published April 15, 2013

Reviews

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not sure whether this book has me excited about sailing the Southern Ocean or terrified. I'm not sure whether the idea of returning to yacht racing is appealing to me or appalling after reading this book. I'm not certain whether I would like Dawn Riley or if I would hate her if we met. This account tells some real truths about sailing: stuff breaks, it's dangerous, it often isn't fun, and when things aren't going well, being nice isn't always an option. And even more truth? Sailing is a man's world, and that is just BS. But I also know sailing is invigorating, full of camaraderie, and, when the weather is good, pleasant and safe and beautiful. It is also a man's world, and that is still BS.

The actual sailing account of the Whitbread race really is excellent. What is lacking is an engaging narrative. I can't imagine anyone other than a sailor wanting to read this book, but I think it is a good one for all female sailors to read.

[Sara Billey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspirational account of racing around the world

This book is full of struggle and success. Sailing around the world is always challenging but competitive racers face tough choices on crew, equipment, routes, tactics, and safety. Dawn Riley gave us insight into the mind of a skipper determined to make the journey as fast as possible while keeping the boat upright. She is a heroic leader in a field with historically very few women.