AS CHILL SETS IN, ICE-SKATING SESSION BEGINS IN SHIMLA

SHIMLA: The Simla Ice Skating Rink opened on Sunday for the skaters beginning the first session.

As many as 40 skaters participated in the first session at the rink in Lakkar Bazar, Shimla.

Executive member of the club, Abhay Dogra, said, "With the formation of thick layer of ice on the surface, the first regular session of the season began on sunday. The two-hour long session started at 8:30am with 40 skaters."

He said if the weather remains clear, then the skating session will be held everyday and the duration of the session will also be increased.

It is one of the three natural ice skating rinks of the world.

It was set up in 1920 and its door for the skaters was set open as the thick layer of ice formed naturally on the levelled surface with declining of mercury to freezing point, he said.

Shimla town recorded low by 4.6°C on Sunday, however the ice skating rink is located in shady and cold area in the town and the thick sheet of ice naturally forms here during nights on which skaters slide. The skating club holds two sessions in a day that is 8am to 11am and 5:30pm to 8pm depending upon the ice formation.

He said, the club authorities sprinkle water on the clay ground of the open-air rink, which freezes under natural conditions in the night. If the sky is cloudy, the minimum temperature normally rises, resulting in thawing of ice.

The congenial average minimum and maximum temperature for ice formation ranges from 4°C to 5 °C and 8°C to 10 °C, respectively, he said.