The Insane True Story of Mighty Mary

In 1995, sailing’s most prestigious competition had existed for nearly 150 years without an all-women’s team. Then came Mighty Mary. Dismissed as a publicity stunt, the groundbreaking crew took on the best sailors in the world, defeated four-time America’s Cup winner Dennis Conner—and nearly disappeared from sports history.

Abby and Julie sit down with Mighty Mary director and Olympian Mary Mazzio, team captain Dawn Riley, sailor Merritt Carey, and executive producer and narrator Elizabeth Banks to unpack the team’s incredible rise, the leadership failures and shady backroom decisions that changed everything, and why women must be in the rooms where decisions are made.

Plus, Abby and Julie reflect on the moments they didn’t realize were history while living them, debate the 1999 USWNT vs. today’s team, and reveal Abby’s hilarious “logical consequence” for her kids: watching all 184 of her goals.

Mighty Mary opens in select theaters September 11. Visit MightyMaryFilm.com to find a screening near you.

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Keep the Party Going:

GO SEE Mighty Mary. Seriously. The incredible story of the groundbreaking 1995 women’s America’s Cup team opens in select theaters September 11. Find a theater near you and grab tickets: mightymaryfilm.com

Party People, it’s time to do More Than Four. Take the More Than 4 Challenge and learn more about Zoe’s Goal, our September charity supporting childhood cancer research. A portion of proceeds from our merch store this month goes to Zoe’s Goal, too. zoesgoal.org

Want to see where Dawn Riley is building the next generation of sailors? Check out Oakcliff Sailing in Oyster Bay, New York, where Dawn serves as Executive Director and trains sailors for the America’s Cup, Olympics and beyond. oakcliffsailing.org

Mighty Mary awakened your inner sailor? The Women’s Match Racing World Championship is coming to San Francisco September 30–October 4: FOLLOW ALONG: sailing.org/our-sport/types-of-sailing/sailing-match-racing

“Historically Speaking”? “The Party Before the Party”? We still need a name for our new history segment. Got something better? Send it to partypeoplequestions@gmail.com.

And mark your calendars for the next America’s Cup. The 38th America’s Cup heads to Naples, Italy, in 2027, with the Match beginning July 10. americascup.com/38th-americascup

And learn more about the woman who finally brought Mighty Mary’s story back to life. Mary Mazzio is an Olympic rower turned award-winning filmmaker whose work centers on overlooked people doing extraordinary things: 50eggs.com/about

From Mighty Mary to Maine lobster. Merritt Carey now works in fisheries and rural economic development and helped build the Tenants Harbor Fisherman’s Co-op, connecting local fishermen more directly with consumers and helping protect a working waterfront in Maine. lobsterfrommaine.com/lobstermen/merritt-carey

Thank you to our sponsors:
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