Marathon News

It's been a full few days for the marathon skaters here in Netherlands. On Thursday was the biggest race of the season for the Netherlands skaters who race in the marathon series because it was the first time in over 10 years that there has been the Natural Ice National Championship event. It was held on a frozen lake close to Lelystad on a five kilometer circuit with the ladies race being 60 kilometers and the mens 100 kilometers. Both the ladies and the men's races were held live in TV here in the Netherlands which was great viewing for all.

The ladies race ended up in a sprint finish where Carla Zielman crossed the line in first with the National Championship title second place was Daniella Bekkering of Frisia and third Andrea Sikkema Van der Wiel. During the men's race there was a very serious breakaway at the half way mark of the race. In this breakaway there was many good strong skaters but the teams of BAM and Nefit brought the race back together after a very long hard chase which cause the mens race to end in a sprint finish.

During the mens sprint it was a long hard sprint where the team of Safan started the sprint very early. Crossing the line just ahead for the National Championship title was Sjoerd Huisman from the team of Nefit. Second place went to Arjan Streotinga of Bam, third was Roy Boeve from Safan and in fourth place Ingmar Berga from DSB Bank.

With only one day rest today was the Essent Cup 11 held in Eindhoven. The results from tonights races are as follows:

Ladies Marathon
1st Carla Zielman (Hoolwerf)
2nd Daniella Bekkering (Frisia)
3rd Andrea Sikkema (Van der Wiel)
4th Margo can de Merwe (team de sprinters)
5th Anniek ter Haar (Aavas)

Mens Marathon

1st Jorrit Bergsma (PE People)
2nd Yoeri Lissenberg (Foekens)
3rd Roy Boeve (Safan)
4th Kurt Wubben (TNT Express)
5th Bart de Vries (Schuurman)

To view the mens race on the internet go to: http://www.knsb.nl/content/marathon/livevideo.asp

For more results go to: http://www.knsb.nl/

Natural Ice race marathon have been confirmed for both Monday and Tuesday next week. For more information go to: http://www.knsb.nl/natuurijs/wedkal_detail.asp?ID=679