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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

Martien Weerts
Tour of 1986
Leeuwarden

"Donor and member at the same time"

In the fall of 1985, I initially couldn’t become a member—only a donor. The maximum number of members had already been reached. So, I became a donor. To my surprise, a few weeks later, I received an invitation to pay for my membership.
Jan Vos
Tocht van 1986
Leeuwarden

Friese doorlopers

Mijn voorbereiding waren tochten in de Kop van Overijssel en de Weerribben met als ultieme test de Elfmerentocht die ik heb volbracht maar zeker 40 km op een kromme schaats gereden. Deze ervaring heeft mij doen besluiten om Friese doorlopers met schoeisel mee te nemen tijdens de Elfstedentocht. De tocht zonder problemen volbracht met voor […]
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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