Elfstedentocht, Dutch folklore

[arizona]

Every winter, after some freezing, Dutch people are effected wit the Elfsteden virus en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elfstedentocht Not dangerous. But it keeps people occupied till spring. or till the event and in recent years it can seldom be organised due to lack of safe, 200 km long icetrack. Often snow is the opponent in forming a good ice-floor.
I'm strongly convinced this year it will take place after a long break.
Keeping you informed by this thread. It's a huge event and dominating the news by far from the moment, a date is set in stone.

If the link works: here's a documentary about the heroic 1963 tour. Also the issue doping is in it.

If the tour will take place, also many German and some French, Italian and Belgian speed skaters will join. Maybe Belgian Bart Swings, the revelation of the recent European Championship speed skating in Heerenveen (also Friesland)

[Deleted]

I remember how exciting it is all over northern Europe each time the race is announced. Since the last one was in 1997, it's about time for the Netherlands to get lucky again.

Of course some people have mixed feelings about this, because it takes a "bad" winter to have a "good" race!

[bixaorellana]

Oh, this is interesting!

Is this the same race that was featured in Hans Brinker & the Silver Skates? (you have to realize that it's been a really long time since I read that book)

[arizona]

bix, no first race was in 1909 and Hansje Brinker was skating through 'Holland' earlier, I assumelike Nils Holgerson's later trick to show and explore a country.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Wonderful_Adventures_of_Nils
True about the mixed feelings, K2, but if the snow is no killjoy (and right now it isn't in Friesland) a modest period of moderate freezing will do. A week and - 8 degrees in the night and under zero in daylight.
Some nautic activities already have been blocked and other precautions to provide good ice-conditions.

Last year the tour had been blown off due to one short stage; the ice there is ok right now this year. Freezing not being thwarted by ... snow.

There already have been some shorter races (40 à 60 km on natural 400 m. tracks.

Prospects are good.

BTW. Previous announced link here (if videoserver will work)

www.uitzendinggemist.nl
Fill in button ZOEKEN: Elfstedentocht van 1963

[Deleted]

Veel sneeuw verwacht komende dagen – slecht nieuws voor Elfstedentocht

Lots of snow expected in the coming days - bad news for Elfstedentocht

That's today's news. The ice won't form under a big layer of snow.