THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — Volunteers are pouring onto frozen rivers and lakes in the northern Netherlands to clean the ice of snow that is jeopardizing chances of a grueling speedskating race being held for the first time in 15 years.
Organizers say locals took to the ice with snow shovels after organizers of the Elfstedentocht, or 11 Cities tour, warned that the snow is hampering ice formation.
The ice must be at least 15 centimeters (6 inches) thick over the entire 200-kilometer (125-mile) track — that winds along canals, rivers and lakes in the northern province of Friesland — for the race to take place.
Tuesday’s front-page headline in Dutch daily De Telegraaf read, “Polish, mop and sweep,” in a reference to the feverish efforts to prepare the route for some 16,000 skaters who would take part.
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.
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Dutch clean ice to raise chances of first speedskating race in 15 years
February 8, 2012
Youths play ice hockey Tuesday in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Volunteers pour out to frozen rivers and lakes to shovel away snow, bettering chances for a skating race.
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