New Findings: Not Meike de Vlas, But Annigje van Dijk-Bajema Was the Best Woman in the ’63 Elfstedentocht
In a groundbreaking discovery, the Friesche Elf Steden association is set to rewrite history regarding the 1963 Elfstedentocht. The organization is conducting an investigation into footage of the iconic event, which suggests that Annigje van Dijk-Bajema, not ‘ijskoningin’ Meike de Vlas, was the top-performing woman in the grueling ’63 race.
The investigation follows an analysis of old films by the Fries Film & Audio Archief (FFAA), as reported by Omrop Fryslân. The 1963 Elfstedentocht, held on January 18, is widely regarded as the most challenging in the event’s history. With temperatures plummeting to -4°C by 09:00 and wind conditions worsening, only 58 out of 577 participants managed to complete the race. Reinier Paping emerged victorious.
It was previously known that no women finished the 1963 Elfstedentocht. Many women abandoned the race midway due to harsh conditions, while others were removed by organizers for safety reasons. However, the FFAA’s recent discovery calls into question the assumption that Meike de Vlas (1955-2022) had skated the longest distance.
Archivist Syds Wiersma found footage showing Annigje van Dijk-Bajema (1929-2003) stepping off her skates at the famous Bartlehiem bridge, approximately ten kilometers further than De Vlas, who had been removed from the race at Vrouwbuurtstermolen.
The FFAA obtained the old black-and-white footage just a few months ago. Wiersma noticed a stylishly dressed woman with a long, colorful hat on the Franeker segment of the race. Intrigued, he began investigating her identity and her distance covered.
Wiersma reached out to marathon skater Jessica Merkens, who had documented the history of women’s speed skating in 2023. Merkens suggested that the woman in question could be Annigje van Dijk, who had won the slightly milder 1956 Elfstedentocht. Further investigation confirmed that the woman in the footage was indeed Van Dijk-Bajema.
Van Dijk-Bajema’s daughter, Anke, expressed her delight at the discovery. "I’m thrilled. I’m glad this recognition is finally coming to my mother," she said. However, she clarified that her mother had not stepped off her skates due to exhaustion but because she had run out of milk for her baby, who was still nursing.
The Koninklijke Vereniging de Friesche Elf Steden is now investigating the FFAA’s claims. If verified, the organization will update the official 1963 Elfstedentocht records on their website.
