As global temperatures rise, the Elfstedentocht—the Netherlands' storied 11-city ice skating race—faces an uncertain future. On Friday, Dutch citizens nostalgically revisited the thrilling 1985 edition via a televised rebroadcast, highlighting both the event's cultural significance and the looming climate change crisis jeopardizing its return.
The NOS public broadcaster re-aired the grueling 12-hour competition exactly four decades after its original airing. This year’s noon temperature in Leeuwarden, the race’s finish city, reached 14°C (57°F)—a stark contrast to the subzero conditions required for the 135-mile (217 km) tour across Friesland’s frozen canals.
Last held in 1997, the Elfstedentocht demands at least 6 inches of ice thickness across its entire route. Rising winter temperatures have slashed its likelihood, with climate models predicting potential extinction by 2050.
‘It sil heve,’organizers defiantly declared in 1985 after a last-minute thaw initially canceled the race—a Frisian phrase (‘It will happen’) now synonymous with Dutch resilience.
The 1985 broadcast marked a media milestone as the first live televised Elfstedentocht. Technical hurdles nearly derailed coverage: rehearsal equipment froze solid, forcing crews to borrow Belgian motorcycles with heated sidecars for camera rigs. Over 16,000 skaters participated, including Lennie van der Hoorn—the first official women’s champion—while Evert van Benthem set an unbeaten men’s record (6:47:44).
Cultural impact reached surreal heights:
- Parliament paused a sick pay debate for lawmakers to watch
- Schiphol Airport streamed the race with English commentary
- 12,000+ finishers endured -5°C winds to claim victory medals
Today’s rebroadcast not only honors this legacy but sounds a climate alarm. With Dutch winters warming 1.1°C since 1950, the Elfstedentocht’s survival hinges on drastic emission cuts—making its 1985 zenith both a celebration and cautionary tale.
