Thousands of ice skaters line up. Ready? Set? Go!

Sadly, you can’t watch this famous race in person. These ice skaters are only on TV. 

The Netherlands is famous for a skating competition called Elfstedentocht. That name means “11 cities tour.” Skaters race through—you guessed it—11 cities. They travel 135 miles over frozen canals and lakes. 

But there was a huge problem this year. The weather wasn’t cold enough. There wasn’t enough ice! So Dutch public broadcasters did the next best thing. They aired an old race on TV on Friday. The competition took place way back in 1985. That was 40 years ago.

It’s a good thing no racers tried to compete in the race in person this year. On what would have been race day, the temperature rose to 57 degrees—way too warm for ice skating. It wasn’t just this year. The race has been canceled every year since 1997. That was the last time the weather was cold enough.

The 1985 edition was the first to be broadcast live on television. The day before, the skaters tried to have a dress rehearsal. It failed because equipment froze. 

For the actual race, videographers used 25 cameras. Some followed the race in motorcycles with sidecars. Much of the country watched. The government postponed an important debate. Even lawmakers wanted to watch the race on TV.

More than 16,000 skaters entered the 1985 race. Nearly 12,000 finished. The race lasted 12 hours.

Fast forward 40 years. Amsterdam’s Schiphol airport aired the old race on TVs in its lounges. Other folks watched at home.

By the breath of God ice is given, and the broad waters are frozen fast. — Job 37:10