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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

Patrick Vervaele
Tour of 1997
Leeuwarden

“As one of the last to start”

Since I was at the start of the last pen to open in Leeuwarden, standing quite far back, I cautiously began moving toward the exit. Meanwhile, the clock was edging dangerously close to 11:00 a.m. when suddenly, because I was in the last starting group, the rear gates were opened, and everyone rushed toward the Zwette to begin.
Jans Groothuis
Tour of 1997
Leeuwarden

"With two pair of skigoggles at the finish"

As darkness fell, we were handed a flashlight in Oudkerk. Heading toward Bonkefaert, I was blinded by the floodlights and ended up in a field. After my so-called “fallen off” and then reattached ski goggles, I crossed the finish line shortly after.
Jan Casper van Schagen
Tocht van 1985
Bolsward

De Zilveren Schaats

Het complete verhaal (zie de foto's ) is gepubliceerd in het personeelskrantje van het ziekenhuis, waar ik toen werkte. Samen met Anton en Hans werkten we op de OK (operatieafdeling). Ik ben 's ochtends heel vroeg bij een VVV kantoor in Tilburg startbewijzen gaan kopen voor ons. Om mijn voeten tegen kou te beschermen (de […]
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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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