Anyone who knows me a little knows that during the Olympic Games, I don't just look at the medals, but especially at the movement. And to be fair: what we are seeing this weekend in Milan is very much like choreography at the highest level. While the short trackers fly over the ice like playful soloists, the women's team pursuit is all about that one holy grail in the dance world: synchronization.
The 'Vamos Dancar' spirit from Brazil
Before we dive into the technique of skating, I have to talk about *the* moment of the eighth day. Brazilian Lucas Pinheiro Braathen made history by taking the first gold ever for South America at the Winter Games. But what made my dancing heart beat faster? The text on the back of his helmet: "Vamos Dancar" (Let's dance).
Braathen is not just a skier; he is an entertainer who literally brings the samba to the slopes. In an interview with NU.nl, we saw how he let his emotions run wild after his win in the giant slalom. That rhythm, that flair... it reminds us that sport is also just a form of expression. At Miss Salsa, we always say that you have to dance with your heart, and that is exactly what this man does on his skis.
Tension among the Dutch women
Back to the ice rink in Milan. Saturday, February 14, the quarterfinals of the team pursuit were on the program. Our Orange women — Joy Beune, Antoinette Rijpma-de Jong, and Marijke Groenewoud — took to the ice as the top favorites. But as every dancer knows: one misstep and the entire formation falters.
It was actually a very close call. During the race, Antoinette Rijpma-de Jong accidentally stepped on Joy Beune's skate. In the dance world, we call that a 'clash' in partner work, and on the ice, that is life-threatening at 50 kilometers per hour. Despite that moment of panic, they clocked the third time (2:55.65), which is enough for the semi-finals this coming Tuesday, February 17.
What struck me in my 30 years of experience with group choreographies is how vulnerable such a trio is. The distance between them must remain constant, the strokes must be exactly simultaneous. If one person gets out of rhythm, the rest lose the 'flow'. The fact that they made it through despite that minor incident shows an enormous amount of mutual trust.
The flow of Jens van 't Wout
While the long-track skaters are still fighting for their spot, Jens van 't Wout is the undisputed king of the short track hall. He took his second gold medal in the 1,500 meters this weekend. The way he cuts through the corners reminds me of a perfectly executed 'spin' in salsa: balance, focus, and the power to accelerate at the right moment. According to reporting by the NOS, his secret is simple: the chocolate cream puffs at the buffet. Maybe we should introduce those in the dance school too!
What we as dancers learn from this
In practice, we often look at individual performances, but the team pursuit shows that the collective is stronger than the sum of its parts. In concrete terms, this means for us on the dance floor:
- Spatial awareness: Knowing where your partner is without looking. The skaters feel each other's slipstream; we feel the connection in the hands.
- Resilience: When Antoinette steps on a skate, she doesn't stop. She corrects and continues. In a show, things also go wrong sometimes, but the audience should never see it on your face.
- Trust in the 'lead': The front skater determines the pace, the rest follow blindly. That is pure surrender.
Tuesday, February 17 at 2:52 PM, we will be ready again for the semi-finals. The Netherlands will then face Japan. It will be a battle of millimeters, a synchronization game where the smallest hiccup can mean the difference between gold and silver. In any case, I'll be watching the technique with a keen eye, because that 'ice dance' remains one of the most beautiful parts of the Games.