America's Cup sailor Dawn Riley will present a women's sailing clinic Friday, August 1 at Bayview Yacht Club (BYC) in Detroit. The clinic, part of the 5th Annual BYC Women's Invitational Regatta, is designed to maximize the time on the water with intensive 'real time coaching' during drills, practice and racing.

"Our goal is to give clinic participants the skills they need to compete and feel confident as crew or leading a team on the race course. Each will go home with documents covering the drills, planning checklists and examples of schedules used at the top level of our sport," said Riley.

Topics to be covered are boat preparation, the "Six Pack of the Starting Line," the race committee system, boat handling, Rules 101, basic tactics, on-board communications, sail trim, mark roundings and starts, physical fitness for sailors and a ClearPoint Weather demonstration.

"What makes this clinic unique is the level of personalized attention each participant will receive as well as the amount of on the water time with top sailors," said Riley.

As CEO and captain of America True, Riley was the first woman to manage an America's Cup sailing team. She is also the first American to have raced on three America's Cup teams and two Whitbread Round-the-World Race teams. She is former president of the Women's Sports Foundation, founded by Billie Jean King and is active in many public service activities.

Along with Riley, clinic instructors include two-time Key West Race Week winner Deneen Demourkas, owner of the Mumm30 Groovederci, successful J120 owner Nicole Weaver of Annapolis, MD, as well as Michigan sailors Cynthia Best of Beverly Hills, World Match Racing Tour participant Lynn Kotwicki of Royal Oak, and international sailing umpire Debi Schoenherr of Grosse Pointe Park.

One-design racing will take place Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 2 - 3 and Performance Handicap Racing Fleet (PHRF) racing will take place on Sunday, Aug. 3. Prizes will be awarded for first, second and third place. The first place winner in each class will have their name inscribed on the Natalie J. O'Neil Cup trophy. The trophy, named in the memory of O'Neil, represents her enthusiasm and dedication to the sport.

The cost to participate in the clinic is $130 per person for the clinic which includes lunch. Race registration fees are $130 per boat for two days of one-design racing and $70 per boat for one day of PHRF racing. Race registration includes racing fees and five event t-shirts. Women of all ages and skill levels are encouraged to participate, and no yacht club affiliation is required.

Sponsors include Amy Gmeiner-Cowan, Greektown Casino, Kattack, Pure Romance, Revitalize Day Spa, Salon 76 and Speed & Smarts. Sponsorships are still available.

For more information or to register, visit www.byc.com/wi or contact Lynn Kotwicki at lynnsk@umich.edu.