Page 306 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - The Netherlands

304  NOR THERN AND EASTERN NE THERLANDS

q The Thialfstadion VISITORS’ CHECKLIST

The Thialfstadion in Heerenveen, completely renovated in Practical Information
2001, is regarded as the temple of Dutch ice-skating and has Pim Mulierlaan 1, Heerenveen.
international renown. The exuberant crowds that converge Tel 0513-637700/0900-2020026.
Open timings vary, call ahead
on the stadium for international events create a unique or check website for exact
atmosphere. Skating heroes such as Marianne Timmer, opening hours. Closed Apr–
Gunda Niemann and Rintje Ritsma have all experienced Sep. & -
∑ thialf.nl
emotional highlights in their sporting careers here.
Transport
£ Heerenveen.
The Art of Ice-making
Making a good ice surface is an art. The Thialf
ice-makers strive to strike a balance between Thialf Spectators
deformation – the extent to which the ice breaks The fans here are
famous for their
down under the pressure of the skate – and colourful garb and their
the smoothness of the ice. imaginative banners.
Underneath
the ice are 70 km
(43 miles) of
cooling elements.

The great hall covers The ice hockey hall
an area of 15,000 m 2 is 1,800 m (2,150 sq
2
(17,950 sq yd) and can yd) and has room for
accommodate 13,000 4,000 spectators.
spectators.

Triumph Hinged Skates
The climax of every major skating event in the Skates which have a hinge between the shoe and
Thialfstadion is the procession of winners the blade give significantly better results. All new
through the stadium on a special sleigh drawn world records have been achieved with the help
by a Frisian horse. of klapschaatsen (hinged skates).

304-305_EW_Netherlands.indd 304 16/01/17 12:06 pm
Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Catalogue template “UK” LAYER
(Source v2.4)
Date 25th April 2013
Size 125mm x 217mm