Winter’s Final Chance: Wiebe Wieling Aims to Write the Holland Elfstedentocht Before His Goodbye
LEEUWARDEN — Like"This is your last chance," says Wiebe Wieling, the Holland Elfstedentocht Association’s chairman, staring at the monumental busts of past skaters near their monument. He is set to retire after this season, and he’s determined to write the world’s longest speed skating race one more time.
The 28-Year Itch
The last time the Elfstedentocht took place was on Feb. 5, 1997—28 years ago. Since 2005, Wieling and his fellow board members have been chomping at the bit to organize it, but they’ve been thwarted by unfavorable weather conditions. "The weather hasn’t cooperated yet," Wieling says, admitting that the responsibility weighs on him.
The Weather Report
The Elfstedentocht requires at least 15 centimeters of ice cover across the entire 200-kilometer route. Meteorologists predicted the event’s likelihood to be lower in recent years due to climate change, but they remain hopeful.
"You need around two weeks of consistent frost, but it can vary," explains meteorologist Hisso Homan. "Cold winds and snowfall also play a role." Despite the hurdles, Wieling stays optimistic. "It’s in my Holland spirit to keep hoping that it will happen."
The Magic Words
In past races, the start was announced with two iconic beltlines: "It sil heve" (It will happen) in 1985 and "It giet oan" (It’s going to start) in 1997. Wieling has his own two-word plan, but he’s keeping it under wraps for now.
Prepare, Prepare, Prepare
While the weather gods remain unpredictable, the organization is in full swing. The association has 32,000 members and is expecting over 300,000 skaters and two million spectators. The latter demands intensive planning, from traffic management to public health care.
"We’re focused on getting things up to speed on December 1 for a potential race," Wieling says. "We need to ensure safety, manage registrations and transportation, and keep an eye on the ice quality."
The Waiting Game
As the first frost arrives, Wieling keeps a close eye on the monument. "We’re ready. Now we just need Mother Nature to cooperate," he says, pointing to the tile with his name on it, which is in the second row from the top. "Otherwise, we’ll have to wait another 28 years. But let’s hope not."
Read More: NOS has more coverage on the excitement, history, and impact of the Elfstedentocht. Watch the video to see the last race in 1997.
