The Royal Dutch Skating Federation (KNSB) announced that there will be no further nature ice marathons organized this season following a brief period of cold weather.
NOS Schaatsen, a Dutch news outlet, reports on this decision from the Netherlands.
According to the KNSB, the short frost period allowed for one nature ice marathon that took place on the second day of Christmas in Winterswijk, but no additional races will be planned. A spokesperson for the federation explained that although some ice rinks remain open to the public, the organized competition season on natural ice has concluded for the time being.
The nature ice coordinator confirmed that no further marathons will be added to the calendar. While public skating continues where conditions permit, professional skating events on natural ice are currently paused due to limited ice quality and safety considerations.
During the marathon held at the ice rink De Witte Poorte in Winterswijk, Sofia Schilder won the women’s category and Crispijn Ariëns was the winner in the men’s event. The brief cold spell, although enough to hold this single marathon, was insufficient to sustain an extended competition series on natural ice this season.
