Trijntje Pieters Westra
Dutch ice skater
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The basics
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| Intro | Dutch ice skater | |
| Places | Netherlands | |
| was | Athlete Speed skater Ice skater | |
| Work field | Sports | |
| Gender |
| |
| Birth | 7 December 1783 | |
| Death | 3 September 1861 (aged 77 years) | |
| Star sign | Sagittarius |
The details
Biography
Trijntje Pieters Westra married name Boersma (7 December 1783 - 3 September 1861) was a Dutch female speed skater. She won the first known official speed skating competition for women.
Biography
Westra was born in Gauw. When she was 20 years old she won the first known official speed skating competition for women. It was skated on the city moat behind the Prinsentuin in Leeuwarden from 1 to 2 February 1805. The competition was skated as elimination races over ca. 140 meters, of two ladies each time, the format of Kortebaanschaatsen. 130 riders participated and over 10,000 spectators watched the two-day competition. She beat the sixteen years old Janke Wybes van Damwoude in the final. According to the source she skated the 140 metres with side wind in 13 seconds. Westra won a gold oorijzer worth 105 gulden.
Westra died at 3 September 1861 in Rauwerderhem, aged 78.
Personal
She was the daughter of Pieter Reinders Westra who was a veldwachter (policeman in rural area) from Poppenwier and Maike Pieters. She married on 23 March 1806 in Terzool with Ysebrand Tomes Boersma (1781-1826) who was a farmer. With him she had at least 2 sons and 1 daughter.