A dream start!

Kieler Woche has begun with a huge number of visitors and good summer weather. Over 4,000 international marines populate the Kiel-Wik naval base and the city of Kiel. After the end of the "BALTOPS 24" manoeuvre, many of the 50 participating units arrived in Kiel. Traditionally, this includes the "USS Mount Whitney".

The 208m long amphibious dock ship USS "New York" is also included, in which 7 tonnes of steel from the rubble of the World Trade Center were used in the foredeck during the construction of the ship.

The Colombian Navy's sail training ship "Gloria", which delighted visitors with salsa music and dancing on Saturday, will also be taking part. Other ships and boats from the NATO countries Belgium, Finland, Denmark, France, Great Britain, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Poland, Italy, Spain and the Netherlands.

The "Gorch Fock", which has just returned to its home port from a training voyage, will lead the windjammer parade on Saturday 29 June. A spectacle that has a decades-old tradition. The German Navy's sail training ship can also be viewed during the Open Ship on 22 June 2024.

Text/Photos: hsc