Sailing to new horizons
Calvin Pond's making new waves

Tracy Kovalench
Northern News Services

NNSL (Jun 24/98) - Saturday's weather proved true for sailors out on Great Slave's big blue.

And for one mariner in particular it was a particulary memborable Ability Cup Sailing Regatta, the seventh in Yellowknife history. Calvin Pond's vessel was one of the Great Slave Yacht Club ships that raised more than $6,000 for the NWT Council for Disabled Persons.

"Freedom, peaceful, quiet, relaxing," are words Pond uses to describe his sailing experience.

Pond's craft looks similar to the other one-man boats on the lake. Unlike other sailors, however, he can't move from a sitting position.

Paralysed from the chest down, Pond made history as the first disabled person to enter the race.

His Sunbird is equipped with a roller furling, a device that allows him to easily raise his sails from a sitting position. He also wears a full-length floater body suit to ensure his safety.

The race was Pond's first solo expedition, but definitely not his last. He also plans to include his wife on a cruise or two.

Also in the race was Roy Weber, sailing his own creation. Weber's wooden sailboat will go to the lucky ticket holder in the Council for Disabled Person's Canada Day raffle.

With Rod Savoie in the lead, the members of the Great Slave Yacht Club returned to shore for a victory barbecue hosted by the council.

The Ability Cup went to Tim Coleman, who collected more than $3,000 in pledges.