The 2014 J22 yacht class World Championships will be held at the Vaal Dam from 27 April to 3 May.
Situated in the village of Deneysville on the Free State side of the dam, the Manten Marina will be the base for the championships. The Deneysville Aquatic Club (DAC) and Lake Deneys Yacht Club (LDYC) will be centres of entertainment during the regatta (series of boat races).
Fairland resident Jessica Lenz a well known competitor in yacht racing, will be representing South Africa.
Fontainebleau resident Elliot Motaung (51) will also be competing, as part of a development team formed by the Deneysville Aquatic Club, called New Generation Yachting.
“It will be the first time we will race in such an event ,” said Motaung. “I do not know how we will do, we have never done anything so big before.”
According to the organisers of the championships, South Africa is strong in the J22 yacht class, with many teams being well-trained and exposed to sailing in the international arena.
Regular provincial and national J22 yacht class regattas are held throughout the year, and this year’s national championships will be held a week before the Word Championships.
The South African fleet boasts 56 J22 yachts, with 40 teams expected to enter the world championships.
The United States of America, Cayman Islands, Germany and Australia have already confirmed their participation in the world championships.
Daily preliminary results and photos of the event will be published on the Deneysville Aquatic Club website (https://dac-club.domina.co.za/) from 7pm.
Sailing teams will also publish their daily activities on their websites.
Details: Deneysville Aquatic Club 016 371 1294/1329, Lake Deneys Yacht Club 016 371 1393, Manten Marina 016 371 1301, New Generation Yachting 011 791 7831.
