The rhythm of endurance on the ice
While I watch the footage of the 10,000 meters speed skating, I see more than just top-tier sport. I see a choreography of endurance. In my thirty years in the dance world, I have often emphasized that dancing is not just about the steps, but about maintaining a cadence. That is exactly what happened on the ice in Milan. The Czech Jílek took the gold, but my heart skipped a beat for Jorrit Bergsma who secured the bronze. For a man of his caliber, who has been around for so long, this is an achievement that testifies to an iron discipline.
In Aldeboarn, the world stood still for a moment. You feel the pride of such a village through the screen. According to a report from Omrop Fryslân, the atmosphere there is euphoric. I recognize that from the dance world: when one of 'our' dancers wins a prize at an international congress, the entire community celebrates along. It is that connection that makes sport and dance so powerful.
The art of falling and getting back up
When we talk about dancing on ice, we cannot ignore figure skating. What a night that was. We all watched Ilia Malinin, the American 'Quad God'. The man who does things that actually seem physically impossible. But tonight we saw the human side of top-tier sport. Malinin finished eighth. No podium, no gold. Despite his spectacular backflip – a move that certainly got the audience on their feet – it was not enough for the jury.
The gold went to the Kazakh Mikhail Shaidorov. A historic victory, as it was the first gold for Kazakhstan at the Winter Games since 1994. Shaidorov showed that consistency and technique win over pure bravado. At Miss Salsa, we always emphasize that too: you can do the flashiest spins, but if your foundation isn't solid, your entire routine falls apart. Shaidorov was 'unassailable', as the NOS aptly described it in their live blog.
Emotion as a motor: The story of Maxim Naumov
What touched me most personally was the performance of Maxim Naumov. The 24-year-old American skates with a backpack that is almost too heavy to carry. He lost his parents last year in a tragic plane crash. That he is standing there now, on the highest stage, is a lesson in resilience for everyone. He said that some days he couldn't even get out of bed. But the dream of his parents, who ran a skating club themselves, kept him going.
In the dance studio, I often see this too. Dancers who transform their grief, their anger, or their loss into movement. For Naumov, the ice was not a cold surface, but a place of healing. His seventh place is, in that light, worth much more than any medal. It reminds us that we don't just dance or play sports for the points, but for the soul.
The dark side of 'military' training
There was also discussion surrounding Nika Egadze, the Georgian skater who trains under the wings of Eteri Tutberidze. In the dance world, we also know that type of coach: the 'drill sergeants'. Tutberidze is known for her military approach. Although it achieves results – Egadze made a huge jump from fifteenth to the eventual top of the standings in the free skate – it raises questions about the price of success. As a dancer, you have to push yourself, absolutely, but there is a thin line between discipline and exhaustion. The controversy surrounding her methods and previous doping scandals remains a stain on the sport that should actually be about beauty.
What we as dancers learn from the ice rink
You might wonder: what does a 10-kilometer skate or a skeleton run have to do with my salsa night? Actually, quite a lot. Look at Matt Weston, the Brit who won gold in skeleton. He used to be a rugby player and did taekwondo. He only switched to skeleton eight years ago. That shows you are never too old to learn a new physical language. Whether you are 20 or 50, your body can adapt to new rhythms and techniques.
Additionally, there is the focus. In the 500 meters, where tomorrow we look forward to the duel between Jenning de Boo and Jordan Stolz, it comes down to explosiveness and precision. One misstep and it's over. In a fast mambo, it's no different. The concentration these athletes show is exactly the 'flow' we look for on the dance floor.
Specifically: Focus on your own 'free skate'
Whether you're watching the US women's ice hockey team overwhelming Italy, or young Macklin Celebrini shining as a teenager among the NHL greats for Canada; it's about self-confidence. Celebrini still lives with a host family, but on the ice, he is the boss. That is a mentality we can use. Step onto the floor with the conviction that you belong there, regardless of your experience.
In the coming days, we will continue to follow the performances in Milan. Not just for the medal table, but for the inspiration. The way these athletes control their bodies, deal with enormous pressure, and translate their emotions into performance is the purest form of art there is. And whether that is on blades or on dance shoes, the passion remains the same.