Reinier Paping
Reinier Paping (born 18 February 1931, in Dedemsvaart) is a Dutch speedskater primarily known as the winner of the Elfstedentocht of 1963. This Elfstedentocht became known as "The hell of '63" when only 69 of the 9.292 contestants[1] were able to finish the race, due to the extremely low temperatures, dipping to −18 °C, and a harsh eastern wind.
After winning the race, he was recognized as a national hero in the Netherlands.
Early life[]
Paping was born on 18 February 1931 in Dedemsvaart.
Skating career[]
Before 1963, Paping had participated in several Dutch allround championships, with a 4th place in 1955 as his best result.
The 1963 Elfstedentocht[]
Not even halfway through the harsh Elfstedentocht of January 18, 1963, Paping skated away from a leading group with Jeen van den Berg, and , and travelled the rest of the trip alone. Paping finished the race in ten hours and 59 minutes, while the second-place finisher, Jan Uitham, arrived a full 22 minutes later. Because of the horrendous conditions—which included bone-chilling cold of −18 °C—his long solo escape, and the fact that the next Elfstedentocht was not held until 22 years later, Paping became a national hero and the tour itself legendary.[2]
References[]
- ^ "De vergeten rijders van 1963". NRC (in Dutch). Retrieved 2021-02-05.
- ^ "Alles van de Elfstedentocht 1963" [All about the Elfstedentocht 1963] (in Dutch). Sportgeschiedenis.nl. Retrieved 2010-12-24.
- 1931 births
- Living people
- Dutch male speed skaters
- People from Avereest