e are pleased to announce the nominations and seconds received from VX One boat owners as of 21st March 2025. The following nominees have agreed to stand-
President:
Jeff Eiber- USA
Timothy Pitts- USA
Chief Financial Officer:
Michael Brierley- AUS
Vice President- North America:
John Porter
Michael Kiss
Trevor Parekh
Timothy Pitts
Vice President- Europe
Iris Kamml
Vice President Oceania
Rob Douglas
Congratulations to Michael, Iris and Rob whose nominations are uncontested.
Next Steps:
Voting will be held over the next few weeks to select the Class President and North America’s Vice President.
Voting details will be emailed to owners and added below before 1st April.
The final date for votes to be received will be 18th April.
Candidates who are selected for multiple roles will be asked to choose which role to accept.
Biographies
Biographies of those nominated will be added below as they are received.
Chief Financial Officer
Michael Brierley- AUS. Nominated Unopposed.
Michael Brierley has a professional career spanning over 30 years encompassing numerous senior executive roles within the not for profit and charitable Association sector, specifically across sport, major events and venue management. Roles include Venue Management Association (Asia Pacific), Australian Olympic Committee, and Sailing Australia. With significant financial experience including holding CPA qualification and 20 plus years Company Secretary experience he brings a wealth of knowledge within financial management, corporate governance, strategic planning and risk management.
While a recent convert to the VX fleet he is a co-owner in AUS281 based at RYAYC in Sydney, having sailed competitively since a young age across numerous classes. Previous volunteer sailing administration roles include past Treasurer and President of the UTS Sailing Club and he has just concluded a 3 year term as President of the Australian Sports Boat Association.
Vice President Europe
Iris Kamml- GER
I first sailed at 38, a new love brings new hobbies. After a few fun years as a foresailor in an open keelboat, we longed for a bit more action, but not too shaky, please. That’s when we discovered Matthew Sheahan’s wonderful video! A VX ONE – that’s what we wanted.
After a long search, we found the 252, our Lizka, in March 2020 and brought it from faraway northern Germany to the Bavarian Caribbean, Lake Walchensee. Thanks to Australian start-up help from Michael James, we felt comfortable and safe from the very first moment and quickly became addicted to speed and the white track of foam behind us. We had found the best boat in the world – simple – fast – fun! Unfortunately, we were the only ones on our beautiful lake, and I was determined to change that. This decision really changed our lives. Sailing used to be just ONE nice activity alongside music and mountain sports of all kinds, but soon there was nothing more important.
A small advert with the offer of a trial sail and a first meeting with four other owners has now developed into a functional class association! By the way, it was the first association I ever founded in my life. We tracked down all 24 boats in the EU, a new dealer was established, many rounds of trial sailing were organised, class regattas were held throughout Germany and Italy, the second European champion was determined in 2025, hundreds of discussions were held at the boat show in Düsseldorf and three new boats were delivered in 2024. And that’s far from the end, we’re just getting started!
It’s amazing what’s possible if you’re passionate enough about it. The VX ONE has become the centre of my life.
Rob Douglas
Vice President Oceania- AUS
I was first introduced to the VX in 2013 when I went for a demo sail in 25 kts on Sydney Harbour. Not a bad first outing to get a sailor hooked on a class.
Being a strong advocate of One Design racing, the boat was right on point for me. I sailed the 2016 NSW Championship and then the Caribbean regattas in March 2016 with Andrew York. It was so much fun and with such a quality group of sailors and people, I was in.
I chartered various VXs through 2017, 2018 and 2019 until we bought AUS 319 in 2020.
I joined the Australian VX One Committee in 2022 as Vice President and remain in that position.
It has been incredibly rewarding to see the NSW fleet grow from 2 boats in 2021 to 13 in 2024. We have just hosted the largest State Championship fleet outside of Queensland (18 Boats) and run a very successful, 29 boat Australian Championship.
Professional Background
Chartered Accountant for 33 Years. 9 with Ernst and Young and 24 in my own practice.
Previously held positions in sailing Committees
- NSW Laser Association 6 years (Vice P),
- NSW Tasar Association 20 Years (Measurer, Race Secretary, Treasurer, Vice P and President)
Other information
I am a qualified National Race Officer
Have sailed all my life: 1973 Manly Junior National Champion, 2nd Apprentice Laser Worlds 1996, 8 time National Champion Tasars, 3 time World Champion Tasars.
Class President – To be voted:
Jeff Eiber- USA
US Chief Measurer 2012 – 2017
US President 2018 – 2019
US Past President 2020 – 2021- 2022
When I served as Chief Measurer my task was to put into words the class rules formulated by the founding committee. I also coordinated with Jan Dejmo at World Sailing to develop the measurement system for the mainsail.
My wife and I founded VX One Fleet 3, Cleveland, Ohio in 2014. Fleet 3 Hosted the VX One North Americans in 2023 with 46 boats. We currently have 10 boats.
Timothy Pitts- USA
Timothy has been involved with the VX One Class for several years and is the current North American Class President.
Vice President USA – To be voted:
John Porter
Deciding to get back into sportboats after raising a few boys through Optis and Lasers. Bought a VX One in Fall of 2022 and haven’t looked back.
My background includes being part of the U.S. Merchant Marine sailing team through college before a 6 year Olympic campaign in the Finn. 5 time U.S. Sailing team member, 3 Nationals Champs before entering the sportboat craze in 1997 with a Melges 24. Loved sportboats and knew once a got past the 2.5 kids and a mortgage I would be back.
Super happy picked the VX One class for re-entry. Most fun on and off the water I have ever had in any class!
Michael Kiss
I am the owner of VX One hull #379 and a proud member of Fleet #6 at Macatawa Bay Yacht Club in Macatawa, MI. Since acquiring the boat in early 2023, I’ve been actively racing locally and have begun traveling across North America to compete, with my son, Mitchell, as crew. The VX One has quickly become my favorite for its quality design & build along with the strong, family-friendly, amateur-focused culture the class continues to cultivate.
Over the years, my sailing experience has spanned a wide range of competitive one-design classes including Lasers, J-22s, S2 7.9s, Etchells, and Melges 20s. I’ve been fortunate to earn several national and international championship titles throughout my career. My wife, Tovi, and I have also been deeply involved in the organizational side of the sport—helping manage local fleets and chairing major regional & continental championships at Macatawa Bay YC. We are passionate about supporting the sport both on and off the water and enjoy traveling throughout the U.S. and internationally to participate in premier sailing events. I am currently a member of Macatawa Bay YC, New York YC and Coconut Grove Sailing Club.
Trevor Parekh
I have been involved in many class associations for the last 20 years, including: 49er North America president; re-Constitution of the Canadian 29er class; formation of the Canadian Waszp class, and Member At Large of the Canadian VX One class. In particular, I have been very involved with the 49er class over the years and have participated in and observed the dealings with World Sailing, from events to technical and everything in between. I am also in love with the VX One boat and its sailors alike!
Timothy Pitts
Timothy has been involved with the VX One Class for several years and is the current North American Class President.
