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Weather takes wind out of the sails of Ladysmith’s first fun sail

Lack of wind made it hard to complete first Ladysmith Maritime Society fun sail of the year
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The Blue Moon, owned and skippered by Gerry Beltgens, was the only boat to complete the course on time during a tranquil first fun sail of the year for the Ladysmith Maritime Society. (Todd Hebert photo)

Gerry Beltgens Special to the Chronicle

The first Ladysmith Maritime Centre Fun Sail of 2019 looked like in might not even get started.

The wind was so light that one of the boats actually drifted backwards around the committee boat and never crossed the start line.

Another boat entered in the event radioed the committee boat to announce they were going to motor to the wind line so that they could at least get some sailing in.

Blue Moon helmed by Gerry Beltgens with crew Martin Tang and Bill Hutchinson were able to find enough wind to make it around the approximately eight-kilometre course and come in first. The course was from Slack Point near Transfer Beach and out around a freighter parked in front of Saltair.

There were four boats in the fleet. “Spare Time” a Pearson 33 helmed, “Sole Tender” a Newport 28 helmed by Todd Hebert and “Raven” an Abbot 33. Only Blue Moon made it around the course in the allotted time.

Beltgens credits his crew for the excellent showing.

“Bill and Martin are both experienced sailors, it makes a big difference when all I have to do is manage the helm. Especially when we are sailing in very light wind and under spinnaker.” His boat “Blue Moon” is a 42-year-old C&C 29 Mk1.

LMS will continue to host the Fun Sail Series which is open to sailboats of all classes.

“We want to keep it fun and accessible,” said Marc Pettigrew, the LMS marina manager. “There is no cost for entry and we share tall tales, a hotdog and beverage after the event. We are always looking for newbies who want to learn and experienced crew”

The next Fun Sail is planned for March 9. Details will be on the LMS Facebook page.





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