In the past many events were still held on Christmas Day in Orkney – and not just The Ba.

In 1933 A model yacht regatta was held on Bignold Sailing Pond in Kirkwall. It was organised by the Kirkwall and Holm model sailing club and lasted for 6 hours, starting at 10 in the morning and not finishing until 4pm.

The wind was light on the day and fine for racing. Twenty two 10-raters and seventeen 5- raters took part.

The first to set off were the 10-raters with the competition having 5 different heats. The 5-raters competed in 4 different heats.

The winners were:

10-raters

1. and the winner of the Graham Cup – J. Williamson
2. D. Gorn
3. J. Rosie

5-raters

1. and cup winner – J. Harrold
2. D. Wooldrage
3. D. Kirkpatrick

That was not the end of the regatta for on the 27th of December a Boys competition was held for under sixteens and boats of 24-inch and 30-inch waterline. (Please remember this is the past when apparently the female of the species was not genetically capable of sailing model yachts.) 😉