Famous female semi-professional skaters
The speed skating races on short distances that started in the 18th century were continued in the 19th century on a much larger and more professional scale. There were not only championships for men but also for women and even for pairs and the interest was overwhelming.
The races were between two skaters or two pairs of skaters. They raced twice against each other and who won twice won the race and went to the next round. Normally they skated a distance of around 200 meters, first in one direction and after that in the other direction while they switched the lanes. If there was no winner the first time they had to repeat the procedure till there was a winner. If it took too long the winner could be decided in one last race, or by chance or by agreement between the skaters. It followed the form of a knockout competition.
In case of a championship of pairs, a man and a woman formed a pair who skated behind each other with the man in the front. To get fast as a pair the woman should be able to skate perfectly in the same movement of the man. These championships for pairs were organized in exactly the same way as for individual skaters.
The races were between two skaters or two pairs of skaters. They raced twice against each other and who won twice won the race and went to the next round. Normally they skated a distance of around 200 meters, first in one direction and after that in the other direction while they switched the lanes. If there was no winner the first time they had to repeat the procedure till there was a winner. If it took too long the winner could be decided in one last race, or by chance or by agreement between the skaters. It followed the form of a knockout competition.
In case of a championship of pairs, a man and a woman formed a pair who skated behind each other with the man in the front. To get fast as a pair the woman should be able to skate perfectly in the same movement of the man. These championships for pairs were organized in exactly the same way as for individual skaters.
Famous female skaters
One of the famous female skaters was already mentioned as a member of the Van den Berg family. She skated mainly in pairs with her brothers but in this way she earned 2655 guilders which she had to share with her partners. But she still earned in this way approximately 1327 guildens or 16.587 euros of today.
Another famous female speed skater was Jantje Hendriks. She skated also mainly championships for pairs, won many and earned as girl of 20 years old, in 1850 a total of 600 guilders which iss 7.500 Euros of today.
Finally, I have to mention the famous skater, Lutske Wester, who was at the top for 20 years with different partners in pair competitions, She won with them in total 2560 guildens and 275 guildens more in individual races for women. From the first amount she got only the half, 1280, and so in total she got 1555 guldens which is close to 20.000 euros of today.
All information mentioned in this section comes from the impressive book of Ron Couwenhoven. There one can find much more details about these championships on short distances and much more, Unfortunately the book is in Dutch. Therefore I have given here a brief summary of what I see as most interesting point in the history of the speed skating in the 19th century.
One of the famous female skaters was already mentioned as a member of the Van den Berg family. She skated mainly in pairs with her brothers but in this way she earned 2655 guilders which she had to share with her partners. But she still earned in this way approximately 1327 guildens or 16.587 euros of today.
Another famous female speed skater was Jantje Hendriks. She skated also mainly championships for pairs, won many and earned as girl of 20 years old, in 1850 a total of 600 guilders which iss 7.500 Euros of today.
Finally, I have to mention the famous skater, Lutske Wester, who was at the top for 20 years with different partners in pair competitions, She won with them in total 2560 guildens and 275 guildens more in individual races for women. From the first amount she got only the half, 1280, and so in total she got 1555 guldens which is close to 20.000 euros of today.
All information mentioned in this section comes from the impressive book of Ron Couwenhoven. There one can find much more details about these championships on short distances and much more, Unfortunately the book is in Dutch. Therefore I have given here a brief summary of what I see as most interesting point in the history of the speed skating in the 19th century.