Martha Hemminga

As a little girl, skating did not go very well. As a teenager, she became good at it, skating on Lantinga skates.[4] She won her first prize in Oldeboorn on 24 January 1917 at a comptition with men's and women's where she finished second. On 26 January she competed, together with her brother Piet in Oldeboorn, winning the fourth prize. On 28 January she won for the second time a first prize in Terhorne. Days after this victory she won many 9 other races, including winning a golden watch in Bolsward. In later years she won many more competitions and was one of the best Frisian speed skaters. Her main rivals were: Feikje Rijpkema, Rienkje Paulusma and Gelsche Brouwer.

Martha had a clear opinion about agreements who would win a competition and sharing the prize money (In Frisian sharingjen). Hemminga never shared because, in her opinion, sharing is like coming home with honor without money or coming home with money and without honor.

Hemminga usually signed up for competitions via the Leeuwarder Courant the local newspaper, which was delivered to their farm by post around noon every day. However, if the mail came too late, she was unable to register in time, and missed competitions.[5] Sometimes she went to competitions by train. If it was possible she went on skates. If the ice wasn't strong enough, she walked. Sometimes it was a long journey across dark dikes and muddy trails, using a stall lantern if it was dark. For example, in February 1917, she went skating from Oldeboorn to Sloten where she won the competition. Arriving there, she had to compete in the first round against the strongest skater. For most competition the first round was a random draw who had to skate against who. According to Hemminga this method was not fair of organizing competitions. She also didn't like the timing races (instead of racing against each other). Hemminga could ride the 120 metre in 12 seconds (Bolsward, 1917) and the 160 metre in 16.8 seconds (Leeuwarden, 1922).

During the last years of her career she lost to rising stars like Janna van der Meulen who was seven years younger. During the competition in Warga on 17 January 17 1924, Hemminga would have said to Van der Meulen: "Be a bit easy with me today, because I've been up all night, many of our pigs got piglets". Poet Cornelis Kasje wrote the poem about the Hemminga and Van der Meulen:

Daar staat ze weer, die stoere ijsvorstin, 
Zij zal haar krachten nog eens tonen. 
Maar naast haar staat een jonge ijsheldin.
Een nieuwe ster op het ijs, uit Frieslands schonen. 
Twee sterren op het ijs, een glorieuze kracht. 
De een straks zacht verbleekt, de ander een schitterpracht.

Hemminga was born on a farm on Sitebuorren near Grou. She was one of the youngest the family Hemminga, consisting of 11 children. Her brother, Piet, was also a speed skater. She married Ruurd Jacobx Draaisma on 9 May 1923 in Grou.[6] Hemminga is the aunt of successful speed skater Trijntje Hemminga.

Hemminga in 1924 against Janna van der Meulen

List is not complete. In total she won 48 first prizes.[7]

1916-17

2nd prize - 24 January 1917 in Oldeboorn (men's and women's together)

1st prize - 25 January 1917 in Nes

4th prize - 26 January 1917 in Oldeboorn (men's and women's together; together with her brother Piet)

1st prize - 28 January 1917 in Terhorne

1st prize - 29 January 1917 in Workum

1st prize - 30 January 1917 in Rottevalle

1st prize - 31 January 1917 in Deersum

1st prize - 1 February 1917 in Langezwaag

1st prize (golden watch) - 2 January 1917 in Bolsward

1st prize - 4 February 1917 in Beesterzwaag

1st prize - 5 February 1917 in Oudkerk

1st prize - 6 February 1917 in Haren

1st prize - 9 February 1917 in Sloten

1919-20

1st prize - 16 December 1919 in Helpman

1st prize - 21 January 1920 in Meppel (men's and women's competition; together with Jacob Faber van Hempens)

1st prize - 2 February 1920 in Wolvega

4 February 1920 in Haren

1st prize

Medal fastest race (150 metres in 18.6 seconds)

1st prize - 9 February 1920 in Gorredijk

1921-22

1st prize (f 50) - 30 November 1921 in Akkerwoude

1st prize - 1 December 1921 in Drachten

4 December 1921 in Grou

1st przce

Medal fastest race

28 January 1922 in Oudkerk

1st prize

Medal fastest race

1st prize - 8 February 1922 in Leeuwarden (De IJsclub)

1st prize - 9 February 1922 in Sloten

1st prize - 10 February 1922 in Zwaagwesteinde

1st prize - 11 February 1922 in Leeuwarden (Oldehoven)

1st prize - 13 February 1922 in Dokkum

1923-24

Total prize money 1923-24: f 280

1st prize (f 60) - 9 January 1925 in Heerenveen