2-888-192 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Sports on the Ice - Skating Race on Whittlesea Mere, 1850. 'We recommend frozen-out lovers of hunting, coursing, and horseracing, during this frost, to take a trip to Peterborough, and they will find good sport on the ice, particularly on Whittlesea Mere and Whittlesea Wash, where well-contested skating races take place every day. We give a Sketch of an exciting contest on Tuesday last, between two crack skaters; one named Register (alias Flying Dutchman), and the other named Barnes; the stakes being £10 a side. At the signal for starting, both competitors went off at a good pace against a strong head-wind; and during the whole distance the issue was doubtful. The race was won by Register, amidst the cheers of his friends. The distance (two miles) was run in 7 min. 7 sec.: the pace, however, would have been considerably increased, but for the high wind blowing at the time'. From "Illustrated London News", 1850.