This year’s J22 Nationals had been up in the air, quite literally, for months. Back in December, it wasn’t even clear if the Vaal Dam would be able to host the event at all. Water levels were so low that none of the surrounding yacht clubs could launch keelboats. Then, as if on cue, Mother Nature changed her mind. The rain came, but didn’t stop. By the time May rolled around, the dam had too much water. Yacht clubs once again couldn’t launch, this time because their slipways were submerged or too dangerous to use.

The championship was originally scheduled for 1–4 May, but the call was made to postpone. That delay caused some dismay, particularly as many of the Vaal-based J/22s had already been sold and relocated to Cape Town in preparation for the Lipton Challenge Cup. In the end, the regatta was moved to June.

Despite the small fleet, just 10 boats made it to the start line, the 2025 J22 National Championships, held over the long weekend in June, delivered six races of proper racing.

The Vaal Dam gave the sailors flat water, blue skies, and a decent stretch of wind that shifted enough to make it tactical. And for a few crews, this was more than just a championship—it was their first test on the road to Lipton.

Among the fleet was Neil Armstrong, Ullman Sails dealer in Johannesburg, racing his boat Hang 10 with the reliable form he’s become known for.

But the spotlight was also on Ullman Racing, bow number 28, also known as Running with Scissors, sailing in her first regatta since being refurbished and with her new owner. The crew, skippered by Dre Giovanni, included his son Max, Matt Trautman, one of Ullman’s sail designers, and Jemima Baum, who will be helming the other Ullman-backed J22 for Lipton. It was an ambitious team, but also one that was still figuring things out. They were literally still rigging the boat on the way to their first start. Despite that, they pulled together quickly, found boat speed, and started making their way up the scoreboard.

By the end of the weekend, Ullman Racing had earned the Zero to Hero trophy and finished 3rd overall, a remarkable achievement considering how fresh the team and boat were. It was also a strong sign that things are tracking well ahead of Lipton.

While the Vaal fleet was compact, the energy around the class is anything but quiet. Cape Town’s newly forming J/22 fleet was also out on the water that weekend, shaking off the winter and starting their Lipton prep. The 2025 edition of the Lipton Challenge Cup is beginning to take shape as something big, hey, maybe even historic.

Ullman Sails South Africa is backing two teams this year: Ullman Racing and returning under the Ullman banner, the all-female team Ullman Sails Jalapeño. Both boats are drawing attention, and with more entries lining up across the country, the excitement is mounting.

Behind the scenes, Matt Trautman and the design team are deep in the development process: refining, testing, and crafting sails tailored specifically for what Lipton and the J22 demands.

We’ll have more Lipton news in the coming weeks, but for now, credit to Lake Deneys Yacht Club and the J22 Class for pulling off a championship that almost didn’t happen. The racing was competitive, and the atmosphere was strong. 

photos Bronny Daniels