The J22 International Class Association World Championships will be held from 3 to 8 July 2022 hosted by Point Yacht Club in Durban, South Africa and we are proud to be supporting the Ullman Jalapeno Ladies team.
Member nations of the J22 International Class Association include Canada, Cayman Islands, France, Germany, Italy, Jamaica, Netherlands and the USA, and of course South Africa. The last time an SA team won the championship was back in 2014, so no pressure ladies 😉
If you want more information regarding this event, the rules, the J22 class etc. visit www.j22.org
Watch the Jalapeno Popper at the top mark at last months KZN Provincials…
… and the girls in action at last year’s provincials!
Meet the crew
Bronwen Klaas – Skipper
When did you start sailing?
At 8 years old
What’s your favourite boat?
5o5 but the Oppie was always on the list
What/who got you into sailing?
My dad. What kept me? – my parent’s support
Why do you sail?
Because it’s lekker. I love being in nature. You have to live a life worth reminiscing over!
ronwen has been sailing for 27 years with international experience in the Optimist, 420 and 5o5 fleets. She has represented South Africa at World Championships in the Optimist Class in 2001 and 2002, the Youth World Championships in 2004, and the 5o5 Class in 2015 and 2019. Bronwen is a dinghy sailor who enjoys the challenge of keelboats and has been involved in the Jalapeno team since 2020.
Allyssa van Rensburg – Spinnaker / Midships
When did you start sailing?
As a toddler
What’s your favourite boat?
Jalapeno (The J)
What’s the worst thing on a boat?
Having no food or snacks
Why sailing?
There’s no comparison to being out on the water, kicking (boys) butt and the sound of the wind
Allyssa is 16 years old and flies our spinnaker. She grew up with sailing and has been competitive since 2017. She started in Optimists but quickly moved on to Lasers and keelboats. She was part of the crew that finished 3rd in the Junior J22 Interclub in 2018, and the Formula 1 Nationals in 2020. Team Jalapeno, as an all-women team is her creation.
Keira Giles – Foredeck
When did you start sailing?
When I was 6 years old
What’s your favourite boat?
The J22!
What’s your favourite position on a boat?
Upright ! 🙂 🙂 – helming
What do you like most about sailing?
Sharing my experiences with like-minded people
Keira looks after the foredeck. She is 17 years old and sailed dinghies, catamarans and more frequently, keelboats. She is a competent helm and has been adding value from the front of Jalapeno since 2021. Keira was a member of the winning crew of the 2019 Stadt Nationals and Hobie 16 provincials.
Petro Spies – Halyards / Midships
When did you start sailing?
At 43 years young
What’s your favourite boat?
The Mistral
What’s the biggest sailing challenge you’ve overcome?
Surviving 3 thunderstorms from 3 different directions at the Muster mark
What’s your favourite colour?
Blue, but Allyssa stole it, so green
Midships is shared by Petro Spies who has been involved with sailing since 2019. She is a mom with a competitive team sports background. She has been part of the crew who won the ladies Round the Island in 2019 on a 22ft Mistral, and in 2021 on an Atlantis 36. She has been part of the team finishing 2nd in the 2020 Formula One Nationals and 2022 Stadt23 Highveld’s. Petro also crewed on the Pacer 27 in 2022 Mykonos Long Distance and Pursuit Race.
Our team is supported and coached by Randolph Verheij, who has many years of J22 and sailing experience, as well as Pierre van Rensburg who owns Jalapeno and assists with planning and preparation for training and events.