NSGCYR: ‘Look out’, Moneypenny is back

Home 2025 NSGCYR: ‘Look out’, Moneypenny is back

Robert Appleyard and his crew turned heads when they placed third on IRC Overall in the 2024 One Circular Quay Australian Maxi Championship (OCQ AMC), 6-10 December, on board the newly purchased Reichel/Pugh 69 Moneypenny.

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8 July 2025 at 1:48 pm

They were up against some of the most established yachts in the game – Wild Oats X, URM Group and Master Lock Comanche. In his first major event as Moneypenny’s owner, Appleyard carried on the legacy of success that former owner Sean Langman had fostered over the years.

Under his ownership, Sean Langman achieved a number of wins on board Moneypenny. In 2023, the yacht placed third Overall in the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race. And most notably the yacht placed first on IRC Overall in the 2022 Noakes Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race (NSGCYR), a result which Appleyard hopes to repeat this year.

Moneypenny, with her iconic 007 bow number, charges through the water in Sydney Harbour. Image: CYCA | Andrea Francolini

Moneypenny returns to Sydney

The Moneypenny crew sailed to Fremantle after the OCQ AMC where they focused on getting to know the yacht more intimately. The boat also underwent a makeover that included new sails.

After a nine-day delivery (excluding stops) from Fremantle to Sydney, the yacht is back at the CYCA to take part in the 2025/2026 Audi Centre Blue Water Pointscore, which kicks off on July 26 with the NSGCYR.

“It’s been really good to spend a bit of time learning the boat and its modes of operation,” Appleyard said. “We know the boat a lot better now.

“So, look out. We should be faster than last year.”

Appleyard to compete in his first ever NSGCYR

The 2025 NSGCYR will be Appleyard’s first. However, he’s done his fair share of sea miles over the years.

Appleyard was “pretty heavily” into sailing when he was younger, competing in the Sydney Hobart, Sydney to Mooloolaba, Fremantle to Bali and a raft of Western Australia-based offshore yacht races.

Moneypenny sailing in WA. Credit - Ana Lopes

But as it often goes, at around the age of 35, “life took a turn” for Appleyard and sailing was put on the backbench.

After more than three decades away from the sailing scene, a “casual sail on the Swan River [WA] with a good crew” reignited his love for the sport. He returned to sailing a few years ago as the owner of the Fast 40 Secret Weapon. He’s since upsized to Moneypenny with the goal of racing her in the 80^th Rolex Sydney Hobart.

“If I want do the Rolex Sydney Hobart, I want to do it fairly fast and get it over and done with,” Appleyard said.

Moneypenny sailing out of Sydney Heads in the 2024 Cabbage Tree Island Race. Credit – Andrea Francolini

Meet the Moneypenny crew

Appleyard has confidence in the crew he assembled for the 2025 offshore season. The cohort consists of sailors from Sydney, Queensland and WA.

“I’ve got young guys, older guys, a couple of professionals, a couple of semi-professionals and a whole lot of keen amateurs all working together as a pretty good team. We’ve got a reasonable depth of experience, but some new blood as well,” Appleyard said.

The Moneypenny crew enjoying Sydney Harbour. Image: Moneypenny Sailing

Moneypenny’s competitors

Appleyard looks forward to seeing how they measure up against competitors like the Reichel Pugh Maxi 72 URM Group. The NSGCYR marks URM Group’s first offshore race after it was dismasted in the 2024 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race.

It will be a slog for Appleyard and his crew to make the journey to Sydney for each Audi Centre Blue Water Pointscore race. But he knows that Sydney is where Moneypenny needs to be in order to perform well.

Moneypenny on the upwind leg in the SOLAS Big Boat Challenge. Image: CYCA | Andrea Francolini

“I’ve got to the point in life where I think if I’m going to do this, I want to really do it well. And that [Sydney] is where all the racing is for these kinds of boats,” Appleyard said.

He says they have what it takes to win the Noakes Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race, and potentially the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race.

“Moneypenny has a good record so far,” Appleyard said. “So hopefully we can keep up the boat’s reputation.

“We’re sailing to win.”

The Moneypenny crew. Image: Moneypenny sailing

CYCA’s Season Opener

For the first time, the start of the Noakes Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race will also mark the CYCA’s inaugural Season Opener — a new event designed to launch the offshore sailing season in style.

Open to Members, guests and all sailing and sports enthusiasts, the day features a spectator boat experience aboard Eclipse with live race commentary by around the world sailor Jack Macartney, followed by an afterparty back at the Club with live music, food activations and a vibrant atmosphere to celebrate the start of the season.

Follow the race

Keep up with the Noakes Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race action in real time. Watch the broadcast of the start via our livestream on the race website and the Noakes Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race Facebook page. And track your favourite yachts throughout the race, via the yacht tracker page on the race website. We will also be posting live updates on our race website and social media pages.

See the below links:

NSGCYR entrants

Season Opener tickets

Additional photo credits

Featured image credit – Andrea Francolini/CYCA

Moneypenny sailing in WA. Credit – Ana Cunningham