Merkens, who is also a sports journalist and researcher, has spoken with fourteen skaters. They are all women who participated in the Elfstedentocht. One of them, Stien Kaiser, took part in ‘de Hel van ’63’. She was then allowed to skate, but not to participate in the competition. “She was greatly opposed by the skating union. They had not arranged anything for women’s skaters,” says Merkens.
Women who participated in the Elfstedentocht: ‘Keep nagging for a bib number’
