Recent revelations challenging long-held beliefs about the 1963 Elfstedentocht have sparked excitement among historians and sports fans alike. Populations long considered the female participants inconsequential are now being reevaluated, especially the performance of skater Anny van Dijk, who has been re-crowned as the event's new female standout.
Previously, Meike de Vlas was celebrated as the best-performing woman of the 1963 race. Yet, the narrative began to shift following the discovery of film footage from the event, presented by the Fries Film & Audio Archief (FFAA), which showcased Anny van Dijk's endurance and skill, illuminating her traditional overlook.
Syds Wiersma from the FFAA commented on this remarkable footage, stating, "It was just a Polygoonfilm but with English commentary.” This presented viewers with the first look at women participating proudly on the ice, upending the commonly held stereotype of the ‘weaker sex.’ The film featured Van Dijk, dressed gracefully, taking sustenance during the race—shattering perceptions once cherished among sports historians.
Curiosity about the woman's identity ignited interest prompting Wiersma to initiate research alongside Jessica Merkens, author of Op eigen houtje. De ongelooflijke verhalen van vrouwen in de Elfstedentocht (2023). Together, they hypothesized the skater might be Anny van Dijk and turned to her daughter, Anke van Dijk, who confirmed the speculation, stating, “We knew how far she had gone but not until recently had we found out she had gone the farthest.”
Anke's emotional response reflected both pride and astonishment, emphasizing, "But I also find it quite exciting; there has to be some corrections made.” The investigation revealed her mother’s withdrawal was not due to fatigue, but rather personal responsibilities—a poignant family detail not accounted for until now.
Back at Bartlehiem, where Anny exited the race due to lactation issues involving her newborn child, her husband Broer initially continued, illustrating their strong teamwork. Anke shared how her mother reassured every decision made as she braved the harsh conditions.
"My mother said, ‘I really have to get off,’" recounted Anke. It’s these narratives—the human elements—that make sports history rich and layered.
The harsh realities of the Elfstedentocht, particularly those faced by the van Dijks, have long been described as occurring “under Siberian conditions,” Wiersma explained. Records from previous literary instances chronicle struggles but hadn’t offered comprehensive insight, leading to the public's obliviousness to the remarkable achievement of women during formidable events.
Anny’s racing story came to the public’s attention once more when author Hylke Speerstra published De kâlde erfenis back in 2001, depicting Van Dijk’s and Broer’s unwavering determination, but it largely faded from history. Wiersma acknowledged Speerstra's work stating, "How it can be is difficult to say. This was non-fiction, but until the present, the public didn’t pick up on it.”
Now, with both collective memories reigniting and corrections pending, new audiences can appreciate the tenacity of female skaters like Anny van Dijk and, by extension, recognize the unsung female competitors of the Elfstedentocht, who truly embody extraordinary resilience and accomplishment.
These recent findings will not only transform the acknowledgment of women’s efforts during the iconic race but serve as empowering reminders of women’s capabilities beyond the ice, signaling broader equality and recognition within numerous historical sports narratives.