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Thialf as seen from the P stands
Dutch skater Tonnie de Jong in actionThialf Heerenveen: Ice Skating Heaven!
We visited the European Championships Allround Ice Skating (quite a mouthful) in January 2004 and found ourselves amidst of hunreds, thousands of frantic Dutch people, cheering like mad for their home skaters! The most fun was when Dutch people, euhm, rode, but it was also big fun when others skated, such as our national hero Bart Veldkamp (although he was not one of the best skaters, he still skates pretty fast!). The love for the chrono, the smell of slashed ice, the view of the tight suits, I don't know what it is, but it sure is impressive! The picture shows the Thialf stadium inside, where all the ice action takes place. To see it well, please click on it (as it's panoramic). Wear sth orange, or you'll stick out like a square peg in a pretty round hole! At best, do like the Dutch, and come dressed up, with horns, skates, tulips or other national symbols on your head. We noticed: pigs, inmates, people wearing helmets with skates on them, vikings, ...
Oh, might be a good idea as well to leave a bit of place in your stomach for a beer or two. Maybe even three :-) There are many stands alongside the stadium, with plenty to drink and eat. (the beer was oddly enough not bad!)
