User:Mjroots/2012 Elfstedentocht

The 2012 Elfstedentocht was held on xx February 2012. The 200 km long mens race was won by (winner) in (time) and the ladies race was won by (winner) in (time). It was the sixteenth race since the inaugural event in 1909.

Build-up
The cold spell in late January and early February 2012 has heightened the expectation of a 2012 Elfstedentocht. On 2 February 2012, it was reported that 95% of various locks that controlled the water flow in the canals had been adjusted to maximise the ice thickness. On the same day, the Dutch meteorological institute forecast that temperatures would not rise above freezing until Wednesday 8 February at the earliest and that the thickness of the ice would be 15 cm from Tuesday 7 February until Saturday 11 February.

On 3 February, the Dutch meteorological institute forecast a probable ice-thickness of 20 cm on Saturday 11 February and on 5 February they forecast an ice thickness approaching 25 cm. On 6 February it was announced that the committee had met the previous evening for the first time in fifteen years. Although there were areas where the ice was not thick enough for the race to be held, the forecast for continuing freezing weather meant that they were optimistic that the race would be held. A press conference was held at 09:30 CET and the committee was due to meet again on 8 February. At the press conference, it was stated that in north Friesland the ice conditions were suitable to hold the race. In south west Friesland, the conditions were not so good. Stavoren was a particular problem, with ice only 2cm thick in some places.

On 6 February a prohibition order on navigation on many of the canals in Friesland was extended in order to facilitate the growth of the ice.

On 7 February, the Dutch meteorological institute forecast that the cold spell would break on Sunday 12 February or Monday 13 February with the temperature rising above freezing point that the ice would be 22 cm thick.

It giet oan
The Vereniging De Friesche Elf Steden announced on (date) that the race would be held on (date).