Johan Olav Koss about skating in the Netherlands
Already in the 17th century there were people in the Netherlands who liked to skate long tours of more than 200km. In the 19th century a tour along 11 cities in the province Friesland became popular. In the 20th century this so called “Elfstedentocht” (Eleven cities tour) was the most famous skating event. Due to climate change this tour could not anymore be organized since 1997.
In this last tour two world champions in speed skating form Norway, Johann Olav Koss and Geir Karlstadt participated in the tour. Also these foreigners were very enthusiast about this event as Johann Olaf Koss expresses in the video below. He even says in English: " It is the best we have experienced in skating" and "Whenever there is again an "Elfstedentocht" I come back wherever I am at that moment."
In this last tour two world champions in speed skating form Norway, Johann Olav Koss and Geir Karlstadt participated in the tour. Also these foreigners were very enthusiast about this event as Johann Olaf Koss expresses in the video below. He even says in English: " It is the best we have experienced in skating" and "Whenever there is again an "Elfstedentocht" I come back wherever I am at that moment."
For more about this special event I refer to the sections about the speed skating race and the tour of 200km