Sailing in Moru Kel

Sailing is a popular pastime among the wealthy of Moru Kel.

As a port city, sailing has always flourished, and the layout of Kilpo Bay makes it uniquely suited to competitive racing: with the twin arms of the bay reaching out around it, a circuit of Kilpo Bay affords spectators nearly a full circle of vantage points. The only major obstacles to a perimeter circuit are the causeway to the Abbey to Whiro and the Reefs. The latter results in dual circuits in the bay:

The speed circuit cuts in at the causeway, across beyond the reefs, and then completes the remainder of the race around the perimeter of the bay. In 521 KS at the Marghoz’s Gala, the Marben family’s Ptomir’s Grace completed the circuit in 19 minutes, 51 seconds.

The technical circuit runs through the reefs, requiring skilled navigation to avoid running aground. It favors slightly shorter yachts than the speed circuit, runs over a longer distance, and slows down to navigate the obstacles. In 524 KS on the Feast of Whiro the Tukari family’s Stormcutter completed the technical course in 26 minutes, 12 seconds. The technical course runs through shallows near the Seta, and so is only run on certain major holidays with compensation being paid out to the Seta people.

Since the disappearance of the Maelstrom, a third course has become popular: the Tarsha Run is a two-day affair, with ships carrying a specified load of cargo to Tarsha, unloading, and making the return run. They may choose to return completely unladed or take on ballast in Tarsha. In 520 KS (as part of a private bet with the Chaupos) the Tukari-backed Issa’s Kiss made the round-trip in 48 hours, 23 minutes. 

Tarshan rigging designs are rumored to be vastly different from the local ones, with some speculation that combining those with Mezzi’s hulls may enable a sub-48 hour run to Tarsha.