#TBT to ice skating traditions! Temps are dropping rapidly and Manhattans ice skating rinks are open for business. Winter Village in Bryant Park brings residents and visitors alike in holiday spirits. The Dutch have a strong reputation when it comes to ice skating as a sport as well as a favorite winter pastime. Although people settle for artificial ice, the Dutch find true happiness on natural ice; on frozen canals, lakes and ponds. Historically, ice skating was considered proper for all classes of people to participate in. Skating was also used as a means of transportation in severe winters when the frozen waterways were used to get to surrounding towns. The 11 cities tour or “Elfstedentocht” is the most famous race on ice. Held first in 1909, this marathon race of 124.27 miles (200 km) with 15,000 amateur skaters cant be organized each year due to required ice conditions. The ice must be at least 15.91 inches thick over the entire course. The coldest race was in 1963, when only 69 of the 10,000 skaters made it to the finish line. Amazingly no one died that day, but there were many broken bones and frozen limbs.
Posted on: Thu, 20 Nov 2014 18:00:01 +0000
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