The Team

Gillian and Michael Robinson 

"Mum and Dad" will be fulfilling the roles of responsible adults. Although Ryan is probably the most responsible person on the boat, he is only 16, so we gave this role to Mum and Dad. One of Dad's main function includes that of bank-rolling the adventure, but aside from that he has put in huge amounts of invaluable time and effort into getting the boat ready. Mum is our light-weather specialist and calming influence in a very restless team, and her superb light-weather sailing skill will be in high demand as we enter into the vicinity of Rio again. 

Kathryn Robinson (28 years)

The eldest sister, Kathryn's biggest challenge for this journey will be trying to convince the corporates to give her time off her busy stock analyst job to do the race. Her excellent navigational skills were pivotal in the success of our last race.

Ricky Robinson (26 years)

Slick Rick is currently working for South African Sailing and is in charge of Training and Development in the Natal and Northern Regions. He has a sailing CV to be reckoned with including numerous successes in classes such as 420, Sprog, Fireball, Mirror, J22 and L26. In addition to having received Protea Colours for Yachting, he and Brennan are the holders of multiple national and provincial titles. He skippered the RNYC Lipton Cup team to victory in 2012. Nobody can make a boat go downwind as fast as he can.

Brennan Robinson (25 years)

Brennan is currently wrapping up his Masters in Engineering at Wits University. Most of the competitive sailing that he's done has been with Ricky, and the two make a potent team in whichever class they sail. Brennan is a rock-solid trimmer and bowman. He'll also be fulfilling the role of boatswain for the race, as well as skipper for the return journey.

Ryan Robinson (16 years)

Ryan "Pocket Rocket" Robinson is giving Ricky a good run for his money as being the fastest helmsman in the family, though Ricky did teach him everything he knows. Ryan competed in the 420 class at the ISAF Youth Worlds in Cyprus in 2013, and pulled a remarkable win in the 2013 Mirror World Championships with Michaela in Ireland. Ryan will be one of the team's primary helmsmen, but will also be be providing all the required comic relief in the race.

Michaela Mae Robinson (13 years)

Michaela Mae did her first transatlantic crossing and ocean race at the tender age of 10. Since then she has come into her own on the sailing scene, particularly in the Optimist and Mirror classes. She followed up the Mirror worlds win, by winning the 2013 South African Mirror nationals helming for Kathryn. This little girl will not be a passenger. She has a fire in her that can not be put out.