FC 4/12/06 7:27 PM Page 1

MAGNIFICENT

MILKA

ennis pro Billie Jean Kingand race car driver Lyn St.James had one thing in

common: They were both incredibleat their chosen sports. It didn’t matter whether they were competingagainst men or women. At all times,they dominated their games withtheir greatness.

Racing pioneer Lyn St. Jamesearned the 1992 Indianapolis 500Rookie of the Year because she was agreat driver, not because she was agreat driver for a woman. And King’scredentials speak for themselves: sixWimbledon championships, four U.SOpen titles and one very special victory in 1973 over Bobby Riggs inthe infamous “Battle of the Sexes”tennis exhibition.

King and St. James were trailblazers who significantly affected what had previously beenmale-dominated sports. They brokedown the door for current athleteslike golf star Anika Sorenstam andracers Danika Patrick and MilkaDuno to compete against men at thehighest level.

With more overall wins than St.James and Patrick combined, Dunohas accelerated her celebrity tobecome one of the most successfuldrivers to date.

Latina PowerMilka Duno was born in Caracas,Venezuela, into a family thatmade education a top priority. For Milka and hertwo brothers, sports andextracurricular activitiesoften were put on thebackburner.

“Sports are only temporary,” says Duno.“You have to have something to fall backon, and in my familythat has always beeneducation.”

Duno earneda scholarshipto studynaval

engineering in Spain, where sheearned four master’s degrees in

organizational development,naval architecture,

maritime business andmarine biology.

What’s even moreimpressive is she

earned the lastthree degreessimultaneously.

After completing a very

54 LATINO FUTURE MAGAZINE • MAY/JUNE 2006

MILKA DUNO IS NOT JUST A RISING STAR IN THE RACING WORLD. SHE IS A SHOOTING STAR.

THIS VENEZUELAN BEAUTY HAS ONLY BEEN RACING SINCE 1998 AND HAS ALREADY TURNED THE RACING WORLD

ON ITS EAR. IN ADDITION TO HOLLYWOOD-STYLE GOOD LOOKS, SHE HAS TALENT, BRAINS AND HUMILITY.

BE PREPARED TO BE DAZZLED.

BY BRANDON D. MENDOZA

U P C L O S E

MAGNIFICENT

MILKA

T

Photo by P

edro Porta

l

LFM17-06 may/june issue 4/12/06 6:54 PM Page 54

successful college career, Duno’s lifetook an interesting twist. It all startedwith a friendly invitation to partici-pate in a race car driving clinic inVenezuela. The challenge piqued herinterest and eventually stole her heartaway from naval engineering. Hercuriosity led her to learn more aboutthis high-adrenaline sport and shebegan racing in amateurevents to hone basic skills like accelerating, breaking and techniquesfor taking turns.

“Racing is a processlike when you’re inschool,” Duno says matter-of-factly. “You goto first grade, then secondgrade and you learn thebasics while you work to get better.”

Basic training didn’t last long forDuno, though, because she startedwinning amateur races on pureinstinct and sheer will.Acknowledging the need for professional instruction, she movedto the United States to take her racing career to the next level. Justtwo weeks after moving here, shewas invited to become a FormulaOne driver.

While Duno’s racing career wasgoing full-speed ahead, the ride offthe track was getting a little bumpy.

“In the beginning, there was verynormal resistance from the menbecause I was a woman in a man’ssport. I had to work very hard to earnthe respect of the men,” she says.

Using the same discipline andwork ethic that led to multiple

engineering degrees, Duno set out toprove the disbelievers wrong. In1998, which was her first full year ofprofessional racing, Duno scored twopodium finishes and placed fourthoverall in the Venezuelan PorscheSuper Cup Championship. Just twoyears later she exceeded all expectations by winning the Panoz

GT Series and the Venezuelan AutoRacing Driver of the Year award.

At the time of the interview, Dunowas 8th in the Grand AmericanRolex Sports Car Series standings.She is currently partnered withMarino Franchitti and racing forCITGO. These impressive showingshave silenced all who questioned herabilities on the track. Her accoladesspeak for themselves, and Milka isnow being recognized for what sheis…a great race car driver.

Like King and St. James, Milka’snatural ability is quickly making heran international superstar. Sony LatinAmerica recently signed Duno toendorse their line of Xplod car stereos. It is the first time SonyXplod Latin America has hired anathlete as its spokesperson. It is yetanother first for this Venezuelan

beauty who seems to beable to do anything shesets her sights on.

“I am enjoying theopportunities that magazines, TV and pressare giving me because itgives more people achance to get to knowme,” she says. “I amlucky because I get to

travel the world, work with sponsorsand speak with kids about the importance of education.”

While Duno’s schedule rivals that of a pop icon, she remainsgrounded, always thankful for opportunities that come her way,while never settling for personalmediocrity. Best of all, she enjoyswhat she does, admitting that thegreatest part of her life is being ableto put passion into an activity thatinterests her. She has a genuine love of racing and a competitivedrive to win.

“I’m a driver,” Milka says, “andone day, I do want what most girlswant: to be married, with a familyand children. But right now I amfocused on racing and winning. Ihave to take the opportunity in frontof me. The rest can wait.”

[ ]“I am lucky because I get to travel

the world, work with sponsors and

speak with kids about the importance

of education.” —Milka Duno

SEE MILKA IN ACTIONGT LIVEMAY 12-13 Phoenix International Raceway

Ticket Office: 602.252.2227

www.phoenixraceway.com

LATINO FUTURE MAGAZINE • MAY/JUNE 2006 55

by Pedro

Portal

Phot

o Ju

ha L

ievo

nen

LFM17-06 may/june issue 4/12/06 7:44 PM Page 55

a profesional de tenis BillieJean King y la conductora deautos de carreras Lyn St.

James tenían una cosa en común: Las dos eran increíblemente talentosas en su deporte. Noimportaba si estaban compitiendocontra hombres o mujeres. En todomomento dominaron su juego con su grandeza.

La pionera en carreras Lyn St.James logró el premio de Novato delAño para la carrera de Indianapolis500 en 1992 no porque era una grancorredora femenina sino por su talento como corredora de autos.

Las credenciales de Billie JeanKing hablan por sí solas: seis campeonatos de Wimbledon, cuatrotítulos en el U.S. Open y una victoria especial en 1973 contraBobby Riggs en la famosa “Batallade los Sexos.”

Antes de King y St. James ambos deportes eran dominados porhombres. Ambas abrieron las puertaspara atletas como la estrella de golfAnika Sorenstam y la conductoraMilka Duno para competir contrahombres en el más alto nivel.

Poder LatinoMilka Duno nació en Caracas,Venezuela en una familia en la que laeducación es la prioridad. Para

Milka y sus dos hermanos, el deportey las actividades extra curricularessiempre fueron secundarios.

“El deporte es algo temporal,”dice Duno. “Uno tiene que teneralgo en que apoyarse, y en mi familiaes la educación.”

Duno recibió una beca para estudiar ingeniería en España,donde se recibió con cuatromaestrías en DesarrolloOrganizacional,Arquitectura Naval,Administraciónde EmpresasMarítimas,y BiologíaMarina.Aún másimpresio-nante es elhecho de queestudió las tresúltimas maestrías almismo tiempo.

Después de terminar una muy exitosa carrera universitaria, la vida de Dunotomó un giro muy interesante.Todo empezó con unainvitación para participar enuna escuela de manejo deautos de carrera enVenezuela. El reto fué loque le llamó la atención y

U P C L O S E

56 LATINO FUTURE MAGAZINE • MAY/JUNE 2006

MILKA DUNO NO SÓLO ES UNA ESTRELLA NACIENTE EN EL MUNDO DE LAS CARRERAS. ELLA ESTÁ

DESLUMBRANDO. ESTA BELLEZA VENEZOLANA SÓLO HA ESTADO COMPITIENDO DESDE 1998 Y YA TIENE AL

MUNDO DE LAS CARRERAS VOLTEÁNDOLA A VER. APARTE DE TENER LA BELLEZA TIPO HOLLYWOOD—MILKA ES

TALENTOSA, INTELIGENTE Y HUMILDE. ¡PREPÁRATE PARA QUE TE ASOMBRE!

POR BRANDON D. MENDOZA

LA MAGNÍFICA

MILKA

L

Foto

Gui

llerm

o Fe

lizol

a

LFM17-06 may/june issue 4/12/06 7:46 PM Page 56

LATINO FUTURE MAGAZINE • MAY/JUNE 2006 57

eventualmente robó su corazón de laingeniería naval. Su curiosidad lallevó a aprender más sobre esta carrera llena de adrenalina. Empezópor participar en carreras pequeñasdonde pulió sus habilidades comoacelerar, frenar y como dar vueltas. “El competir en carreras de autos esun proceso muy similar a cuando unoestá en la escuela. Al principio vas aprimer grado, luego al segundo, yaprendes las bases al paso que vasmejorando.”

El entrenamiento básico no duromucho tiempo puesto que empezó aganar carreras como principiante con su puro instinto y voluntad. A sabiendas que necesitaba entrenamiento profesional, Milkadecidió mudarse a los EstadosUnidos con la esperanza que su carrera llegaría a otro nivel. Dossemanas después de mudarse la invitaron a correr en la “FormulaOne.” Mientras que su carrera iba atoda velocidad, su vida fuera de lapista se puso un poco difícil.

“Al principio había una resistenciapor parte de los hombres porque estaba participando en un deportedominado por ellos. Tuve que trabajar arduamente para ganarme elrespeto de los hombres,” dice Duno.

Usando la misma disciplina y éticade trabajo que Milka había usadopara sus cuatro maestrías, ella pudocomprobarles a todos los que nocreían en ella, que estaban mal. En1998, al cumplir su primer año decompetir profesionalmente, Duno terminó dos veces en el podium y encuarto lugar en el Campeonato SuperCup de Porsche Venezolano. Dosaños después sobrepasó todo tipo de

expectativas ganando la serie dePanoz GT. Dos años después excediótodo tipo de expectativas ganándosela serie Panoz GT y el premio alCorredor de Autos Venezolano delAño.

Actualmente Milka Duno ocupa eloctavo lugar en la serie “GrandAmerican Rolex Sport Car Series” yes compañera de Marino Frachittirepresentado en las carreras a la compañía de gasolina CITGO. Estoslogros impresionantes han callado amuchos que previamente habíancuestionado sus habilidades en lapista. Sus reconocimientos hablanpor sí sólos y ahora Milka es reconocida por lo que es: una excelente conductora de carreras.

Al igual que King y St. James,Milka también tiene esa habilidadnatural que le está ayudando a convertirse en una estrella internacional. Recientemente ellafirmó un contrato con Sony LatinAmerica para apoyar una línea deradios Xplod. Es la primera vez queSony Xplod Latin America ha contratado a una atleta como vocerooficial. Es otro de los logros paraesta belleza venezolana quien parecetener éxito en todo lo que se propone.

“Estoy disfrutando las oportunidades que las revistas, latelevisión y la prensa me han brindado porque es la manera en laque la gente me llega a conocer,”dice Milka. “Soy muy afortunadaporque puedo viajar por todo elmundo, trabajar con los patrocinadores, y hablarle a los niños sobre la importancia de la educación.”

Milka disfruta lo que hace yadmite que la parte más fascinante desu vida es ponerle pasión a las actividades que le gustan. Tiene unamor genuino hacia las carreras y unespíritu competitivo que le ayuda aganar.

“Soy una corredora de autos, peroun día quiero vivir lo que la mayoríade las mujeres anhelan: el estar casada y tener una familia con hijos.Por ahora, estoy enfocada en mis carreras y en ganar. Tengo que tomarventaja de la oportunidad que se meha presentado. Lo demás puede esperar,” dice Milka.

[ ]“Soy muy afortunada porque puedo viajar por

todo el mundo, trabajar con los patrocinadores,

y hablarle a los niños sobre la importancia de la

educación.” —Milka Duno

MILKA EN ACTIONGT LIVE

12 Y 13 DE MAYO DEL 2006 Phoenix International Raceway

Boletos a la venta al: 602.252.2227

www.phoenixraceway.com

Foto

Em

érito

Puj

ol

LFM17-06 may/june issue 4/12/06 7:50 PM Page 57

MAGNIFICENT

MILKA

ennis pro Billie Jean Kingand race car driver Lyn St.James had one thing in

common: They were both incredibleat their chosen sports. It didn’t matter whether they were competingagainst men or women. At all times,they dominated their games withtheir greatness.

Racing pioneer Lyn St. Jamesearned the 1992 Indianapolis 500Rookie of the Year because she was agreat driver, not because she was agreat driver for a woman. And King’scredentials speak for themselves: sixWimbledon championships, four U.SOpen titles and one very special victory in 1973 over Bobby Riggs inthe infamous “Battle of the Sexes”tennis exhibition.

King and St. James were trailblazers who significantly affected what had previously beenmale-dominated sports. They brokedown the door for current athleteslike golf star Anika Sorenstam andracers Danika Patrick and MilkaDuno to compete against men at thehighest level.

With more overall wins than St.James and Patrick combined, Dunohas accelerated her celebrity tobecome one of the most successfuldrivers to date.

Latina PowerMilka Duno was born in Caracas,Venezuela, into a family thatmade education a top priority. For Milka and hertwo brothers, sports andextracurricular activitiesoften were put on thebackburner.

“Sports are only temporary,” says Duno.“You have to have something to fall backon, and in my familythat has always beeneducation.”

Duno earneda scholarshipto studynaval

engineering in Spain, where sheearned four master’s degrees in

organizational development,naval architecture,

maritime business andmarine biology.

What’s even moreimpressive is she

earned the lastthree degreessimultaneously.

After completing a very

54 LATINO FUTURE MAGAZINE • MAY/JUNE 2006

MILKA DUNO IS NOT JUST A RISING STAR IN THE RACING WORLD. SHE IS A SHOOTING STAR.

THIS VENEZUELAN BEAUTY HAS ONLY BEEN RACING SINCE 1998 AND HAS ALREADY TURNED THE RACING WORLD

ON ITS EAR. IN ADDITION TO HOLLYWOOD-STYLE GOOD LOOKS, SHE HAS TALENT, BRAINS AND HUMILITY.

BE PREPARED TO BE DAZZLED.

BY BRANDON D. MENDOZA

U P C L O S E

MAGNIFICENT

MILKA

T

Photo by P

edro Porta

l

LFM17-06 may/june issue 4/12/06 6:54 PM Page 54