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Association

Royal Association The Friesian Eleven Cities since 1909!
The Royal Association The Friesian Eleven Cities (Koninklijke Vereniging De Friesche Elf Steden) aims to promote the sport of ice skating, particularly by organising the Elfstedentocht (Eleven Cities Tour) on ice, if possible, annually. The association consists of a board of 10 people and has over 32,000 members. Each year, the board, together with the district heads, assistant district heads, and many volunteers, organises the Elfstedentocht. Whether the event can ultimately take place depends on the weather. A minimum ice thickness of 15 centimetres is required across the entire route for the Elfstedentocht to take place.
The association

History

All fifteen editions in words and pictures
Among the athletes who completed the tour on their own initiative during the harsh winter of 1890-1891 was Willem ‘Pim’ Mulier. He took the initiative to organise the first "official" Elfstedentocht. In 1909, the Frisian Ice Association (De Friesche IJsbond) organised the first Elfstedentocht race. The Frisian Ice Association initially wanted to make it a one-time event, but Mr. M.E. Hepkema, a lawyer from Leeuwarden, believed that this form of ice skating was viable. He also saw the importance of creating a separate organisation for it. A few days later, on January 15, 1909, he, along with other enthusiastic Frisians, founded the Association De Friesche Elf Steden. Since 1909, the tour has been held fifteen times.
History

Skating stories of our members

Jan Piet van Zeggelaar
Tour of 1963

"Fighting against wind and snow"

In 1963, as a conscripted soldier at the Nunspeet military base (Medical Corps), I was selected to participate in the 1963 Elfstedentocht. It was a harsh race. In Stavoren, we had to fight against the wind and snow for a few kilometres, and most skaters stopped there
Jacomina van de Plasse
Tour of 1986, Tour of 1997
Leeuwarden

"Into the dark with my miners' lamp..."

A second chance after 1986. In the dark, I skated towards Sneek. By Stavoren, it was against a wind of force 5. I found a group and joined in. Took it easy for a while and then joined the next group.
W.A. van Buren (King Willem Alexander)
Tour of 1986
Leeuwarden

"Royal klunen"

Before the winner received the victory wreath at the Frieslandhallen, all eyes in Friesland were on someone else: W.A. van Buren. Later in the morning, presenter Mart Smeets announced, "This race has received a royal touch." The participant registered under the name W.A. van Buren was none other than 18-year-old Crown Prince Willem-Alexander. At that […]
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The route of the Elfstedentocht

Click on one of the city circles for more information
Province Friesland
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