photo sharing and upload picture albums photo forums search pictures popular photos photography help login
Maaike Huizer | all galleries >> gallery_of_galleries >> My photo-a-day >> 2006 - 2015 >> December 2008: Our Cultural Heritage > 21 - Schaatsen op de Uithof
previous | next
Maaike Huizer

21 - Schaatsen op de Uithof


U... Uithof

Speed skating (also long track speed skating) is an Olympic sport where competitors are timed while crossing a set distance. It is also a sport for leisure. Sports such as short track speedskating, inline speedskating, and quad speed skating are also called speed skating. Long track speed skating enjoys large popularity in the Netherlands.

The Elfstedentocht was organised as a competition in 1909, and has been held at irregular intervals whenever the ice on the course is deemed good enough. Other outdoor races developed later, with Noord-Holland hosting a race in 1917, but the Dutch natural ice conditions have rarely been conducive to skating. The Elfstedentocht has been held 15 times in the nearly 100 years since 1909, and before artificial ice was available in 1962, national championships had been held in 25 of the years between 1887, when the first championship was held in Slikkerveer, and 1961. Since artificial ice became common in the Netherlands, Dutch speed skaters have been among the world top in long track speed skating and marathon skating.

Here you see one of the Dutch Ice Ovals, de Uithof in the Hague.


For others doing "Our Cultural Heritage" click here.

comment | share
Ann Cleeves11-Jan-2009 23:52
Super, interesting shot. I wish we had such arenas here...we have a standard ice rink in only a few of the bigger cities. We lost our rink in Brighton, and our famous Tigers ice hockey team,in the 1960s.....never been replaced yet.
Harrison02-Jan-2009 16:56
Very nice.
Kerry Tingley27-Dec-2008 15:58
Interesting. I've seen this in the winter Olympics. We just play hockey on the ice. ;-)
Cindi Smith26-Dec-2008 19:48
Very cool! I'm learning so much from your pictures!
Russ Rose25-Dec-2008 19:21
nice find.
mathilda williams25-Dec-2008 17:16
prettig!
pkocinski24-Dec-2008 14:19
What an awesome image! This is a wonderful place.
j>a>e>17 :):):)24-Dec-2008 13:05
alwayzzz loved hans brinker & his silver skatesss & this is a beautiFULLL story o'magic :):):)
Richard Chapman24-Dec-2008 09:54
Looks like fun
carol j. phipps24-Dec-2008 01:05
This is a beautiful scene with a feeling of romance.
Jola Dziubinska24-Dec-2008 00:48
Cool place for winter sports.
Máire Uí Mhaicín23-Dec-2008 21:49
Very impressive, and you'd need a good sense of balance to do this effectively!
J. Scott Coile23-Dec-2008 19:50
Always competitive.
jlm23-Dec-2008 18:33
Impressive !
laine8223-Dec-2008 18:24
One way to keep warm !!! :>)
cits_4_pets23-Dec-2008 16:59
Wonderful scene! Nice angle and lighting.
Inga Morozoff23-Dec-2008 16:26
Ik denk dat ik nog mijn oude speedskates heb ergens in de garage lichen.