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1909
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1941
1942
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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

Abram de Gouw
Tocht van 1985
Franeker

10 keer opdrukken

Ik kwam door Franeker en moest "klunen ". Daarbij kwam ik ten val en riep één van de omstanders: " Bist wurch, hâld mar op". Waarop ik antwoordde: "Nee hoor, kan mij nog wel 10 keer opdrukken" "Der kinst wol 25 gûne mei fertsjinje" zei diezelfde omstander, in de overtuiging dat ik dat toch niet […]
Ants Tilma
Tocht van 1985, Tocht van 1986, Tocht van 1997

Interview op Omrop Fryslân

Ik heb de 11stedentochten van '85, '86, '97 geschaatst. Toen het 25 jaar geleden was dat de laatste 11 stedentocht werd verreden, ben ik in het Fries geïnterviewd door Omrop Fryslân. Ik voeg de link hieronder bij. Het is tussen minuut 12 en minuut 17.30. De interviewer vond het incident dat ik mijn beste vriend […]
Evert Frankes
Tour of 1963, Tour of 1986, Tour of 1997
Franeker

"In the distance, Franeker appears, what a joy!"

In de verte doemt Franeker op, wat een feest daar! Daarna onder de laatste brug door het donker tegemoet. Wat was het fijn om Bartlehiem te zien opdagen, nu nog even heen en weer naar Dokkum.
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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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