Expectations of an Elfstedentocht, the famous Frisian 11-city skating race, have sent sales of skates, hot chocolate, pea soup and the distilled Frisian drink Berenburg rocketing, reports the Telegraaf.

If the race, last held in 1997, does go ahead, the Frisian economy will receive a windfall of €100m, the Telegraaf estimates.
Despite weather forecasts of milder weather moving into the country, the Frisians are preparing to hold the race this weekend. The inhabitants of the towns and villages along the routes have been out sweeping the ice for the past four days.
Tickets
And despite a strict ban on selling-on entry tickets, which are only available to members of the Elfstedentocht association, there is a thriving business on Twitter and Marktplaats. On Tuesday, someone bid €1,750 for an entry ticket, reports the NRC.
Marktplaats has since removed all such advertisements. The Twitter messages are mainly from media people looking for participants to interview.
Weather forecasters said on Tuesday Sunday is the last day the race can be held before the thaw sets in.