Magical sailing spectacle: Gorch Fock delights 170,000 fans at Kiel Week!

Magical sailing spectacle: Gorch Fock delights 170,000 fans at Kiel Week!

The windjammer parade for Kiel Week 2025 has taken place and defies all the weather - under almost perfect conditions, around 130 ships, led by the legendary “Gorch Fock”, sailed across the Kiel Fjord. The sail training ship set sail in optimal winds and reached a remarkable speed of 6.5 knots (around 12 km/h). This was a special moment because it was the first time that the “Gorch Fock” sailed under full sail after returning to its home port on time from a training trip abroad. The new commander Elmar Bornkessel received special permission for this, which allowed him to travel faster than the usual parade speed, which is usually 3.5 to 4 knots, i.e. less than 10 km/h.

The windjammer parade is considered the secret finale of the Kiel Week and attracted around 170,000 spectators on Saturday, the penultimate day of the event, who watched the impressive contingents of ships from land and water. Last year there were around 150,000 visitors, so there was a clear increase this year. The spectators were treated to a picturesque picture: over 120 ships formed up in a magnificent parade, including 59 traditional sailing ships such as the “Alexander von Humboldt II”, “Gulden Leeuw”, “Thor Heyerdahl” and “Roald Amundsen”.

An unforgettable weekend

At 10:45 a.m. the time had finally come: the ships set sail in bright sunshine and ideal wind conditions. The parade started at 11:00 a.m. and the “Gorch Fock” immediately took the lead. The atmosphere was electric, especially on Falckensteiner Strand, where thousands of people watched the spectacle. “Kiel will be filled with a lively energy this week that will carry us all along,” said one enthusiastic spectator. Many ships took less than 90 minutes to reach the finish line near the towns of Laboe and Schilksee.

Kiel's mayor Kampf praised the event and described the parade as “one of the largest and most beautiful in the history of Kiel Week”. And really, the parade was more than just a maritime highlight - it was also another piece of the puzzle in the overall picture of the Kiel Week, which this year has an extensive program. Around three million guests are expected for the entire week, and the motto for the hands-on offer for children this year is “Fabulous Mythical Creatures”.

A look behind the scenes

Kiel Week has a long tradition that began in 1882 with just 20 yachts. Today the event has developed into the largest sailing event in the world and at the same time a large folk festival. During the week, the Kiel Fjord is a spectacular sight that attracts both locals and tourists. If you want to experience the city from a new perspective, you should consider taking a tour of the tower in Kiel Town Hall: Here you can see the roofs of the city and the lively fjord.

The windjammer parade is a wonderful opportunity to experience Kiel's maritime culture and maritime history up close. It not only represents a love of sailing, but also a strong sense of community that can be felt throughout the entire Kiel Week. It will be exciting to see what the next few years will bring, but one thing is certain: the “Gorch Fock” will always have a special place in the hearts of the audience.

For further information about Kiel Week and its events, please visit Kiel Sailing City or take a look at NDR and MOPO. There is much more to discover!