Why happy Dutch are getting their skates on

Published on Tuesday 7 February 2012 00:00

Sports events across Europe have fallen victim to the continent’s deep freeze – but the Dutch are ecstatic, hoping the famous “Eleven Cities” speed-skating race can be staged for the first time in 15 years.

The race, held along a 125-mile network of canals connecting 11 towns and cities in northern Friesland province, would draw thousands of participants and more than a million spectators. It was last held in 1997.

Wiebe Wieling, chairman of the Frisian Eleven Cities Association, told a news conference yesterday that organisers hoped to hold the event, known by its Dutch name Elfstedentocht, but added: “The weather will determine what happens next.”

He said ice was still too thin along southern parts of the route, over which some 16,000 participants will skate if the race goes ahead. But the forecast is for freezing temperatures at least until Friday.

“We want nothing more than to organise the Elfstedentocht,”’ Mr Wieling said.

As nations across eastern Europe have been gripped by cold weather and heavy snow for more than a week, the Netherlands has had temperatures of –10C or lower and little snow.

The gruelling race is one of the most deeply cherished Dutch traditions. The race – first officially organised in 1909 – has been staged only 15 times.

The last man to win the race, farmer Henk Angenent, completed the 1997 event in six hours, 49 minutes. The winner of the 1963 race, held in extremely cold and windy conditions, took just under 11 hours.

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