OUR CREW

OWNER & SKIPPER

Rob began sailing junior dinghies at age 12, but his passion for big boats started just a few years later when, at 15, he answered a newspaper ad looking for crew members on two recently acquired 12-metre yachts – Gretel 1 and 2. These boats had been purchased by local legend Alan Bond to launch Australia’s bid for the America’s Cup - it really was that simple back then! Though school eventually got in the way, this early experience set the foundation for a lifelong love of offshore racing, particularly Quarter Ton, Half Ton, and One Ton yachts.

Fully immersed in the sailing industry, Rob went on to own and run Alspar WA, a renowned spar-making business – perhaps staying in school wasn’t the best call after all! One of his career highlights was working across multiple teams in the America’s Cup during the iconic Fremantle campaign – an experience he considers unforgettable.

Among his many sailing achievements, one of the standouts was serving as principal helmsman on the One Tonner Prime Minister during the 1987 Southern Cross Cup. Against a highly competitive international fleet, Prime Minister consistently ranked at the top, finishing as the third One Tonner over the line in the Sydney Hobart Yacht Race that year.

Despite this success, Rob eventually stepped away from both the sport and the industry – though that’s a story best saved for the book! After more than three decades away, a casual sail on the Swan River with a good crew reignited his love for the sport, particularly the camaraderie of big-boat sailing.

That lead to his return with Secret Weapon, a Fast 40+ - a boat that introduced him to high-performance, asymmetric downwind sailing. Now, Rob has taken the leap into the Mini Maxi world with Moneypenny, embracing the complexity, teamwork, and sheer thrill that come with sailing at this level. For him, success isn’t just about results – it’s about building a strong team, pushing the limits, and mastering every challenge together.

Without the exceptional team he’s gathered, this campaign wouldn’t be possible – it’s a massive team effort, and mastering the complexities of this kind of sailing takes everyone working together.

Alan’s lifelong sailing journey began when his father moved the family to the city to pursue boating. Over 50 years, he has raced across nearly every class and discipline, even competing at the 2000 Olympics. He loves the challenge of racing in new places and brings his experience, tactical expertise, and a big-picture approach to Moneypenny. As tactician, he helps keep the team focused while still making the process enjoyable for everyone. Alan’s motto is “Always apply the KISS theory!”

Billy got into sailing through his parents and started on the water at the age of seven. With 33 years of experience (not that he’s counting), he’s raced everything from junior dinghies to high-performance skiffs and multihulls. His sailing resume includes Pelicans, Flying 22s, Flying Ants, 125s, Skaters, 49ers, Tornado catamarans, F18s, Maxis, and Supermaxis. One of his most memorable races was the Fremantle to Bali, but his biggest achievement to date is taking 2nd place in the 2021 Tornado Open World Championships. Billy previously served as boat captain for Secret Weapon, Rob’s previous race yacht, and now brings his experience to Moneypenny, where he takes on multiple roles across the pit, driving, and boat management – making sure everything runs smoothly on and off water. His motto? Simple: “Don’t f**k up.”

Brent started sailing at the age of 10 in Flying Ants, quickly progressing into Lasers and 420s where he competed at a state level. With over 15 years of offshore racing experience, he’s no stranger to big water and big pressure. A career highlight was taking out a division win and placing 7th overall in the 2022 Sydney to Hobart – a race that still stands out as one of his favourites. Although new to the pit, Brent brings valuable insights from years on the bow, working closely with the front of the boat and reading the play as it unfolds. Calm, focused, and team-orientated, he’s quickly made the role his own.

Caedric started sailing as a child at the New England Sailing Club before moving to Sydney to complete a sailmaking apprenticeship, which led to a wide range of inshore and offshore racing opportunities. With over 25 years of experience, he has competed on various boats, including Ray Roberts’ Team Hollywood, and now runs Evolution Sails Australia. As a skilled trimmer, Caedric brings a deep understanding of sail shape and performance to Moneypenny. His favourite race is the Cones Race at Airlie Beach – especially last year on Secret Weapon. “I guess I can trim sails okay!”

Graeme has been sailing for over 30 years and competing professionally for nearly 20. Career highlights include competing for the America's Cup with Oracle Team USA in Bermuda and INEOS Team UK in Auckland. One of the last generation of America's cup Grinders, Graeme will likely be found grinding away aboard Moneypenny, carrying sails, or looking for the lunches or snacks. "It's exciting to sail with a great bunch of West Australian sailors on Moneypenny and to share my knowledge and experience whilst learning from those around me."

Jack started sailing at the age of seven, introduced to the sport by his parents, and he’s been racing ever since. With 14 years of experience, he’s competed across a variety of classes, including Minnows, Flying Ants, 29ers, Windfoils, Fast 40s, and of course the RP69. His love for high-performance sailing and pushing the limits on the bow has made him a natural fit for offshore racing. When it comes to favourite sailing destinations, Lake Garda and Hamilton Island stand out as the ultimate spots. On Moneypenny, Jack takes on the critical role of bowman, where agility, fast decision-making, and resilience are key. Whether launching sails, calling the timing, or hanging on for dear life at the pointy end, he thrives on the chaos up front.

James didn’t grow up sailing, instead dedicating his junior years to middle- and long-distance running, alongside intense fitness and strength training. When the opportunity arose to bring that athletic background to Moneypenny as a grinder, he embraced the challenge of ocean racing. The physical demands of the role, combined with the strategy and teamwork involved, have made sailing an exciting new pursuit. While still new to the sport, James is quickly learning the technical aspects of racing and refining his skills. He's looking forward to future events where he can gain more experience on the water and continue to grow as a sailor.

Sailing has been in Josh’s blood from the start. With his father being a boat builder, yachts were always part of his life, with some of his earliest memories are of Christmas holidays on the water. He began sailing Optis at age six, and by 12, while watching the Whitbread Round the World start from Auckland Harbour, he told his father, “That’s what I’m going to do”, and he did. His sailing career has been filled with remarkable achievements. His biggest was competing in the Volvo Ocean Race on Assa Abloy, his fastest ride was aboard the Trimaran Team Australia, where they set the record for the fastest trip to Hobart, and his most enjoyable was the Kenwood Cup, racing around the Hawaiian Islands. As the former Moneypenny boat captain, Josh brings invaluable experience to the team and is focused on one goal – helping secure a podium finish in the 2025 Sydney to Hobart.  “Once a bowman, always a bowman.”

Justin has always thrived on the teamwork aspect of sailing, which has led him to race on a wide range of boats, from 470s and Vipers to Fast40s, Extreme40s, TP52s, Volvo70s. A versatile and experienced sailor, he was part of Neptune Racing, which topped the World Match Race Rankings in 2017. Now joining Moneypenny, Justin brings his skill, competitive drive, and passion for high-performance racing to the team. 

Kieran has been sailing for as long as he can remember. His first time sailing was just at 18 months old, and he’s been hooked ever since, drawn to the speed and the feeling of being out among the elements. With 19 years of experience across a range of high-performance classes, including Minnows, Lasers, 29ers, Moths, 49ers, IQ Foils, and Flying Ants, he has developed a versatile skill set. Over the past two years, he has transitioned into offshore racing through the Secret Weapon and Moneypenny programs. His biggest sailing achievement to date is taking 1st place in the under-17 category at the 29er Worlds in Gdynia. When it comes to favourite racing destinations, Long Beach in California holds the top spot. On Moneypenny, Kieran plays a key role on the mast, backing up the bow with sail changes and occasionally working the pumps. But just as importantly, he considers himself an integral part of the all-important snack team. His sailing motto? “Lick it, stamp it, send it.”

Mark started sailing as a forward hand on Flying Ants, then progressed to 16' Skiffs, 420's, 470's, and LW Sharpies - with many club, state, and national championships. His first overnighter was the 1979 Fremantle to Bali, where wind speeds peaked at 60 knots. Mark went on to compete in 12 Sydney to Hobart races starting in 1981, participated in two America's Cup campaigns, and raced in international match racing and offshore events across the east coast of Australia, Europe, and the US. His favourite race is probably the Sydney to Hobart - "the hardest way to get between two parties!”

Niall began sailing at the age of 12 and quickly found his stride in the world of match racing, going on to win the Youth Match Racing World Championship in Poland in 2015 and securing third place at the Open Match Racing World Championships in both 2016 and 2022. Beyond match racing, his experience spans TP52s, MC38s, skiffs, and 420s, bringing a versatile and highly tactical skill set to the team. His favourite event to date is Match Cup Sweden 2016, a highlight in a career defined by precision and competitiveness. Niall thrives on the teamwork required to get the best performance out of a Mini Maxi, recognising the incredibly high standard within the fleet. “The level of performance in the fleet is incredibly high, so to do well requires significant teamwork and talent..”

Growing up on boats, it was only natural that Ryan’s life would revolve around the sea. His early start turned into a full-blown career across the marine industry – from rigging and sailmaking to pearl diving. Before the age of 25, he had already logged over 50,000 nautical miles through yacht deliveries, gaining hands-on experience across countless countries and conditions. Over the past 20+ years, Ryan has raced offshore and in regattas around the world, from the Sydney to Hobart (his first at just 18) to the Giraglia Rolex Cup, the Transatlantic Race, and numerous circuits across Asia – including a personal favourite, the Hong Kong to Vietnam Race – “What’s not to love about sending it downwind in shorts and a t-shirt?”. He’s also managed major yacht optimisation projects and brings a sharp eye for boat performance. Whether on the helm or as an all-rounder, Ryan thrives in high-pressure situations and is a strong believer that preparation is everything. As he puts it: “A smooth sea never made a skilled sailor”.

Simon has been sailing for 28 years, having grown up in a family passionate about the sport. His background is rooted in one-design racing, with experience in Etchells, J24s, S80s, and S97s, along with offshore campaigns on Fast 40s, TP52s, and Cookson 50s. Once of his biggest achievements was campaigning a J24 in his 20s, competing at state, national, and world championships. As Moneypenny’s main trimmer, Simon plays a key role in the speed loop, constantly fine-tuning the sails to maintain the boat’s balance and efficiency. Whether maximising performance in offshore conditions or pushing the limits on the racecourse, he’s focused on keeping Moneypenny fast and competitive.

Vass got into sailing through his dad's love for windsurfing. Trading the board for the opti, he found his passion for competitive racing in the 29er class where he achieved major success and continued onto the 470. Enjoying the tactical side of racing Vass is now match racing on the WMRT and brings urgency and foresight to the bow team as the mid-bowman onboard Moneypenny. Vass' favourite sailing destinations are the Sydney Harbour, Lake Ledro, and Lake Garda. Favourite quote: "f**k them on the long".