Storm defiant Gorch Fock: Proud return to Kiel and windjammer parade!

Storm defiant Gorch Fock: Proud return to Kiel and windjammer parade!

Yesterday, on June 26, 2025, the legendary sailing training ship “Gorch Fock” returned from its training trip to its home port of Kiel-Wik after 137 days. Hundreds of relatives stood ready to properly welcome the crew. The journey covered an impressive 17,000 kilometers with stops in Spain, Portugal, Great Britain and Warnemünde. This 182nd training voyage was not only a logistical masterpiece, but also a challenging sailing voyage that pushed the crew to the limits of their abilities. The resilience of the young sailors was put to the test, especially off the Azores, where hurricane-like storms with wind speeds of up to eleven raged.

Commander Elmar Bornkessel was proud of the excellent preparation of the crew, which consisted of around 240 cadets. They were divided into three trips and, thanks to intensive sailing training, had a good handle on such challenging conditions. On June 28th, the “Gorch Fock” will lead the windjammer parade during Kiel Week, a special honor for the ship and its crew.

Special reception and open ship

The return was also combined with a special event: On June 27th from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. the ship will open its doors to visitors at the Kiel-Wik naval base. If you want to see the “Gorch Fock” up close, you can watch the picturesque mooring maneuver from the keel line. These opportunities to view the venerable ship are a very special experience for many. It is not only a sailing ship, but also a symbol of maritime tradition and training that has accompanied numerous officer candidates on their careers.

After the parade, according to plans, the cadets will return to the Mürwik Naval School in Flensburg, while the regular crew can enjoy a well-deserved break. Bornkessel announced that plans are already being made for a trip to the USA next year, which will once again offer an exciting training horizon for the cadets.

A historical landmark

The “Gorch Fock” was built in Hamburg in 1958 and has been a proud training ship for the German Navy ever since. Over the past few decades, it has introduced over 15,000 officer and non-commissioned officer candidates to the maritime world, visiting more than 390 ports in almost 60 countries. The ship is a constant symbol of the deep connection to the art of seafaring and maritime education. Built by Blohm + Voss, the “Gorch Fock” has not only crossed the waters of Europe over time, but has also touched the hearts of many people who have a passion for the sea.

In the coming days, during Kiel Week, the “Gorch Fock” will once again demonstrate its skills and become a highlight of maritime events. Ultimately, the sailing training ship not only shows how much tradition there is in German seafaring, but also how important the training of the next generations of officer candidates is. And all of this in one of the most important maritime shows in Germany.

For more information about the return of the Gorch Fock and the Open Ship, visit the articles from NDR, t online and esut.