Genealogiecode: K XI k.2.3
Bron: De Telegraaf
Door: Edwin Rensen
Foto: Robert Hoetink
The chance that Vreugdenhil, a 27-year-old consultant for multinationals in strategic negotiation projects, would break the world record was very high. Because the last time the record was improved on natural ice was in 1928. At that time, the Frenchman Leon Quaglia achieved a distance of 32.970 km in Chamonix. And in 1949, the Dutchman Marius Strijbis also made an attempt in Hamar, Norway. On February 7, 1949, he reached a distance of 32.660 meters on natural ice. That was then the best performance of a Dutchman on natural ice ever.
Vreugdenhil stepped onto the Achterhoek natural ice at 9am in the presence of press and hundreds of interested parties. The electric timekeeping faltered, causing the record attempt to be postponed for a while. Vreugdenhil did not let this discourage him, while around him, jurors and officials became somewhat nervous. After the starting signal, peace returned to and around the track, and the skater could complete his laps. It was more than enough to break Strijbis’s record. “That’s a stale record and it was time to break it,” Vreugdenhil said shortly after the finish. “I had hoped for 38 kilometers, but I am also happy with this. When I woke up this morning, I had a slight fever, so I wasn’t feeling completely fit either. After a few laps, I didn’t notice it anymore.” Vreugdenhil also complimented all the volunteers after the event. “It’s crazy that a beautiful ice track can be created in one night. The track was smooth and flat, and it felt like I was skating on an indoor track ,” said the new world record holder. The 27-year-old marathon skater covered a distance of 36 kilometers, 717 meters, and 82 centimeters at the Winterswijk ice track. It would be great if attempts were made regularly to break this record.
World Hour Record
Vreugdenhil, a skater from the marathon and talent skating team Team Port of Amsterdam/SKITS, is coached by Casper Helling – who himself held the hour record on artificial ice between March 2007 and March 2015. Former marathon skater Helling knew how to prepare his pupil for perhaps the “toughest hour of his life”.
After his record, Vreugdenhil received a miniature statue of Jaap Langedijk, a historical figure in Winterwijk. On Tuesday, January 27, 1942, the lowest temperature ever recorded in the Netherlands was measured. At the (K)NMI weather station of Winterswijker Jaap Langedijk, the temperature dropped to an astonishing -27.4 degrees that morning. Last year, a bronze statue of Langedijk was reveiled at the entrance to the ice track.
Proud parents
The parents of Bart, Art, and Annemarie, proudly watch the tribute of their son. The Veldhoven couple enjoys not only the achievement but also the quintessentially Dutch scene. “With the sun shining, it can’t be any better. And Bart just rode very steadily,” says a delighted Art Vreugdenhil, as he is allowed to congratulate and hug his son after all the formalities.