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Ice skating got off to a smooth start with a thick mantle of ice covering the rink at Blessington Courts, in Shimla. A successful trial run was held at Asia's biggest natural outdoor skating rink in Shimla, last week, paving the way for regular skating sessions.
The normal skating season at the rink, set up in 1920, set to commence in last week of November or early December, was delayed by more than two weeks as the minimum temperatures were between minus 10 to 14 degree Celsius, preventing formation of natural ice sheet at the rink.
The ideal temperatures essential for natural freezing of ice is between zero to two degrees.
The successful trial run has brought cheer to skating enthusiasts in Himachal Pradesh as the rink was packed with skaters of all skill levels trying to enjoy the new arena.
"We are hopeful of regular morning and evening sessions and hope for clear skies," said the secretary of the Ice Skating Club Shimla, Bhuvnesh Banga.