Delphine Dodge

Delphine Dodge Wins the President’s Cup

Horace Dodge was a man of many interests, which included competitive boat racing. Both his children Horace Jr. and Delphine (cousins to Frances and Danny Dodge) shared his passion, with Horace Jr. exploring motor boat mechanics and piloting and Delphine reaching celebrity status as a daring racer. As one of the first women in the sport, Delphine made plenty of waves and achieved an historic victory in the President’s Cup Regatta, an annual race on the Potomac River. Delphine was awarded the President’s Cup trophy from President Calvin Coolidge on the lawn of the White House in 1927. Both siblings found success, joy and fulfillment on the water without hindering their friendship, even across years of intense competition. And to this day, the names Horace and Delphine Dodge are still synonymous with boat racing, particularly for those still speeding on the Detroit River.