The 15th Elevencities tour has started! The first 300 skaters have taken off from the 'cage' in the FEC -what used to be the Frysland- halls. Those burned in a fire about two months ago, the race started from the already existing new buildings.
To start off, there was a run of 1900 meters to the Zwettehaven. The road was lined with enthousiastic supporters. At the Zwettehaven the racers pulled on the skates. The first skaters left the harbor around 5:38 am.
After the brightly illuminated Zwettehaven lays the no longer lit Oksemerdam.
Beyond that it is pitch black. Some of the skaters use
glasses lit up with halogeen.
Skating in the dark is dangerous because of the cracks in the ice. The skaters in the back
have to listen to those in front of them. Local farmers illuminate the way with torches
and the lights of their tractors.
The first leisure skaters set out at 5:45 am.
The wind is hard, force 6 to 7, from the Northeast. The first
part of the way, to Hindeloopen, the skaters have backwind, after that the tour will be
much more tough.
Temperatures are -7 C (19.5 F), with a windchill factor of -20 C (-4 F).
The quality of the ice itself is relatively good. Few cracks and a good surface. Nearby the Waterpoort the Committee Elfsteden Nee, an association opposed to the Elevencities tour, has thrown out some salt on the ice.
There are many foreigners competing in the race, amongst others Kos and Karlstad. There are about 45 women entered in the competition, wearing a red band around their arm.
The Elevencities tour record is held by Evert van Benthem.
Who knows, someone may break it today....
© Digital Region Friesland 1997