World

Dutch hopes grow for 200km speedskating race

Sports events across Europe are falling victim to the continent's deep freeze but the Dutch are ecstatic, hoping that the revered "Eleven Cities" speedskating race can be staged later this month for the first time in 15 years.

14.03.2012

(AP) Sports events across Europe are falling victim to the continent's deep freeze but the Dutch are ecstatic, hoping that the revered "Eleven Cities" speedskating race can be staged later this month for the first time in 15 years.

The race, held along a 200-kilometre network of canals connecting 11 towns and cities in northern Friesland province, would cause a national frenzy, drawing thousands of participants and more than a million spectators. It was last held in 1997.