Sailing Regattas
GREATEST MOMENTS IN SPORTS
ELFSTEDENTOCHT /
ELEVEN CITY ICE SKATING TOUR
“The Bonke” finish in Leeuwarden of the four leaders. From left to right, Jan Kooiman (4) – Henri Ruitenberg (2) – Jos Niesten (3) and winner Evert van Benthem.
As soon as temperatures drop below zero, the Dutch are brimming with excitement about the legendary Elfstedentocht, the world’s most prestigious speed and leisure skating event. Provided that the thickness of the ice allows (minimum of 15 centimeters) the Association of the Eleven Frisian Cities is considering organizing the almost 200-kilometre event on natural ice. As the name suggests, the tour passes through 11 Frisian cities in what ranks as the world’s biggest and most unique ice skating competition.
The 13th edition of the Elfstedentocht | Leeuwarden | 21st of February 1985 | © picture Leo Vogelzang