Slips are showing . . . in Dutch hospitals

The Netherlands enjoyed a bit of a cool spell in recent days, with subzero temperatures causing the famed canals to freeze solid and tens of thousands of skaters taking full advantage.

This, according to the International Herald Tribune, had a predictable side effect and “hospital wards were filled with dozens of people with fractured arms, sprained ankles and broken legs.”

One of them was Eimert Van Middlekoop, the Dutch minister of defense.

He, like his countrymen, was quick to lace on a pair of skates, but “a rough spot on the ice” sent him tumbling and he broke his wrist.

Nothing really funny about that, but the photograph is rather nice, isn’t it?

--

Still on ice

Taking note of Katarina Witt’s visit to Vancouver to film a 2010 Winter Olympics preview for German television, Fark.com had this to say about the former Olympic gold medal winner, world champion, actress, television personality and onetime Playboy model: “Even when fully clothed, she looks better than Tonya.”

--

Trivia time

Who was the lowest-ranked player ever to win one of tennis’ Grand Slam events?

--

One potato, two potato

Anaheim has dropped its lawsuit to get the Angels to re-adopt the name Anaheim Angels.

“In other news,” according to comedy writer Jerry Perisho, “a potato chip company has filed a name infringement suit against Anaheim Mayor Curt Pringle.”

--

Flying solo

Seeking an angle, David Thomas of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram came up with this:

“Did you know that the Ravens are the only bird team to win a Super Bowl? (The Seahawks, Eagles and Falcons all have had their wings clipped in the big game.) In fact, before the Ravens, the only team with a flying mascot to win a Super Bowl was the Jets in Super Bowl III.”

--

Distant greens

Janice Hough of LeftCoastSportsBabe.com said rival golfers were disappointed to hear that Tiger Woods would be speaking at president-elect Barack Obama’s inauguration on Tuesday.

“They felt Obama should have given Tiger a role more commensurate with his abilities, like an ambassadorship that would regularly take him out of the country.”

--

Trivia answer

Former window cleaner Mark Edmondson of Australia, who was ranked No. 212 in the world when he won the Australian Open in 1976, defeating John Newcombe in the men’s final.

--

And finally

From Cam Hutchinson of the Saskatoon StarPhoenix: “I have wondered why ESPN is based in Bristol, Conn., where there are no major sports teams. Then I remembered TSN is headquartered in Toronto.”

--

grahame.jones@latimes.com