Mark Bradford

Mark began his sail making career when he was 25 years old in a local loft which was later to become North Sails Brisbane. Since then, Mark has been responsible for expanding North Sails Brisbane into the multi market scene which will be a major focus for the coming years. Major projects under Mark’s management have included building sails for international Olympic teams and IRC offshore blue water yachts.

After a successful working partnership with Vaughan Prentice, Mark offered a formal partnership with him, where the two of them have continued to produce quality sails for the Queensland industry.

Mark grew up sailing around Brisbane in the early 80’s in dinghy classes including the 125 and 420's before campaigning for the Barcelona and Atlanta Olympics in the 470 class. Marks sailing career focus changed from dinghies to offshore yachts which has seen him compete in all of the major Australian ocean races and other International events including Cowes Week, Block Island race week and Farr 40 World Championships.

Mark began competing in the International Etchells class and won several events including state titles in Queensland, Victorian, and New South Wales and Australian Mid Winter Championships. Mark continued this good form to finish second at the 2002 World Championships and win the 2003 New Zealand National Championships crewing for Dennis Connor.

Mark has also had success on the America’s Cup circuit where he was selected for the BMW Oracle team in 2004 and then married this with a round of Americas Cup class yachts in San Francisco, Newport Rhode Island, Malmo Sweden and Tranpani Sicily over the coming years.

You can find Mark steering Peter Harburg’s new Reichel Pugh 66 Black Jack at most of Australia’s up and coming offshore events.

Vaughan Prentice

Vaughan started sail making during his school holidays on the sunshine coast in Queensland. He later moved to New Zealand to complete his sail making apprenticeship with Lidgard sails where he worked through the ranks and graduated to Foreman and Production Manager. He continued to work with Lidgard Sails managing the technical cloth, hardware and loft liason work for Whitbread campaigns. Vaughan later moved onto becoming the Loft Designer and Production Manager as well as managing Chris Dickson’s 1995 Americas Cup campaign with Tag Hauer.

Vaughan re-located from Auckland to Brisbane and joined North Sails Brisbane as the Sail Designer and Production Manager in 2001. His success and dedication to the business saw him join Mark Bradford as partner in the North Sails Brisbane in 2002 and then sole managed the loft while Mark was away with the America’s Cup contingent BMW Oracle. Vaughan’s primary role is varied and includes responsibilities in loft management, design and production.

Vaughan began his sailing in Mooloolaba in 1980 in Sabots. He has competed in many dinghy classes including Sabres, lightweight Sharpies, 14ft Skiffs, 470's, Lasers, and OK dinghies. He held podium positions in the 470 Nationals and in the International 14ft skiffs NZ Nationals.

Vaughan purchased his first International Etchell and has had a string of success in this fleet including Brisbane Fleet Champion four times over, top 10 placings in the QLD state titles, Australian Midwinter Championships and national titles.

He has also expanded his sailing experience to offshore yachts by competing in national events for Bob Robertson’s Hot August Night, Bill Wild’s Welbourn 42 Wedgetail and Geoff Ross’ Reichel Pugh 55 Yendys. The next 12 months will see Vaughan trimming on Peter Harburg’s Reichel Pugh 66 Black Jack and taking his Etchell around the Australian coast competing in national and world title events.