The Elfstedentocht in 1997 was won by Henk Angenent, who finished the race in a time of 7 hours, 37 minutes, and 40 seconds. Angenent was the first man to win the Elfstedentocht since Evert van Benthem in 1985. Klasina Seinstra won the women's race in a time of 7 hours, 49 minutes, and 11 seconds. She was the first woman to win the Elfstedentocht since Lenie van der Hoorn in 1985.
The Elfstedentocht is a 200-mile ice skating race that takes place in Friesland, Netherlands. The race is only held when there is enough natural ice, and it has only been held 15 times since 1909.