© K. Urtz 2013
Yacht / Country:       Mighty Mary /USA Sail Number:            USA 43 Syndicate :              America 3 CEO :                      Bill Koch Yacht Club:              San Diego YC Designers:                                               Doug Peterson Jim Taylor                                 George Edmonds (USA) Marvin Duncan (USA)                                                             Fernando Frimm (USA) Rob Scala (USA) Boat Builder :         Eric Goetz Custom Sailboats Skipper:                 Dawn Riley                              
Mighty Mary USA-43, in the final of the Citizen Cup 95
1995
The first 4 rounds of the CC have been sailed with the old USA-23, because the "Mighty Marry" has been finished just before the Semifinals. Under the skipper Dawn Riley the crew sailed some victories, even against Conner. When his USA 34 lost almost the keel with the lead bulb in a race in the Semifinals against USA 43 the ladies were of the view that Conner is out of the race. Even the ladies were surprised by the compromise of a 3 boat final. (For more information see United States-34). In the final of the CC it became critical to whether Dennis Conner sails a victory or not against "Mighty Mary". USA-43 led in the last leg with almost 40 boat lengths. But she made the mistake to sail directly towards the finish line without covering the rivals. As she drove on this course in a wind hole, Connner, with Paul Cayard at the helm could catch up. He won the Citizen Cup-and thus the official Defense of the America's Cup.
The "all women crew" was a promotional idea by Bill Koch, who played after his victory in 1992  a leading role  in 1995 again.
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The "all women crew" was a promotional idea by Bill Koch, who played after his victory in 1992  a leading role  in 1995 again. The crew was written out, over 600  applicants volunteered., 120 of the women have been tested on board. 30 of them came in the closest choice.  The team selected not only sport sailors, but also rowers or weight lifters because the handling of the "coffegrinder" or the sails is a bone job. They became a top crew.