Marathon skating – “Big Balen”, as marathon skater Chiel Smit from Zuidwolde describes the cancellation of the alternative Eleven Cities Tour. For many skaters, the competition is the highlight of the marathon season. But due to disappointing weather conditions, the ride on the Austrian Weissensee is canceled.
The 26-year-old Smit has been camping in the Alpenland for some time. Last weekend he participated at the Weissensee in the Open NK Marathon skating on natural ice. In that match he finished seventh. Today the alternative Elfstedentocht should have followed, but partly due to too little night frost, that is canceled.
“The prospects were not so good in the last days. We hoped for a little more night frost, but that didn’t happen,” says Smit, who is on the way back to the Netherlands. “Moreover, it rained all day yesterday. So I saw the shower hanging literally and figuratively. It was a sad day on the Weissensee.”
The Drent of Team Essent had high expectations of the prestigious competition over 200 kilometers. “I estimated my chances high. Last weekend it went well too. I think I could have come with the best with the alternative Elfstedentocht. The goal was to perform there.”
Smit still had hope that the game could be pushed to another day. “That had been the best, but that was too difficult to organize. There are also tours that have to be held on the Weissensee. And for those involved, the daily work also continues.”
Smit’s sights are now focused on other competitions. “In our own country we get two marathon cups, in Heerenveen and Utrecht. And then we go to Sweden, where we have three games. I expect that it is cold enough to be able to ride on natural ice. Then we have to pop there . “