Excitement on the Milan Ice
The atmosphere in the Milano Speed Skating Stadium is electric at the moment. For those wondering: what time do we skate today? Take off your sneakers and settle in, because the action starts this afternoon at 5:30 PM. It is the day of reckoning for the women on the 1,000 meters, a distance that essentially revolves around pure power combined with an almost dance-like suppleness.
In my 30 years in the dance world, I have often drawn parallels between the ice rink and the dance floor. The way a skater enters a corner reminds me of the 'shaping' in a Viennese Waltz; it's about finding that perfect angle against the centrifugal force, without losing your balance or rhythm. Today, we see that technique at the highest level in our Dutch star athletes.
The schedule for Monday, February 9
Specifically, the schedule for today is as follows:
- 4:45 PM: Start of the preview on NPO 1 (NOS Studio Sport).
- 5:30 PM: Start of the first heat of the women's 1,000 meters.
- 6:30 PM: The expected climax with the final heats.
- 7:20 PM: End of the competition program.
For the fans watching specifically for the Dutch ladies, the draw is quite interesting. Suzanne Schulting gets to kick things off in the very first heat against the Italian Maybritt Vigl. Femke Kok will take action later in heat 13 against the American Brittany Bowe. And then, the grand finale: Jutta Leerdam skates in the very last heat (heat 15) against her great rival Miho Takagi. It's a scenario you could hardly invent, but it ensures a thrilling conclusion.
The technique of the 1,000 meters: A dance on the cutting edge
From my experience at Miss Salsa, I always look at the movements with a technical eye. On the 1,000 meters, you see a unique combination of explosiveness and endurance. Where the 500 meters is pure 'power', on the kilometer you must distribute your energy like a dancer does in a long choreography. You start powerfully, but you must maintain the 'flow' until the final stride.
Jutta Leerdam is the absolute master of this. Her deep stance and the way she shifts her weight from her left to her right leg is technical perfection. It reminds me of the 'groundedness' we look for in Latin dances. You have to stay connected to the ground (in this case, the ice) to generate that forward energy. The media controversy surrounding her focus and avoiding the press shows how high the mental tension is. In the dance world, we call that the 'tunnel vision' needed for a top performance; everything outside the performance must take a backseat for a moment.
Art on ice: Figure Skating
While the long-track speed skaters fight against the clock, we also watch the figure skaters in the Milano Ice Skating Arena with admiration. The American Ilia Malinin, also known as the 'Quad God', is pushing the boundaries of what is physically possible there. But for a dance lover, the Japanese Yuma Kagiyama is often even more impressive. His musicality and the fluid transitions between his jumps are pure ballet on blades.
Our own Michel Tsiba and Daria Danilova are currently in Switzerland to prepare optimally. They won't take action until next Sunday, but their approach is admirable. They chose to attend the opening ceremony in Milan on the advice of Ireen Wüst, to soak up the Olympic energy, but are now back in full training. That shows that success is not just in the legs, but also in the right balance between relaxation and focus.
What we can learn from the skaters
Whether you're on the ice or on the dance floor, the basic principles remain the same. It's about core stability, focus, and the ability to maintain your technique under enormous pressure. The disappointment of Joy Beune, who finished just fourth in the 3,000 meters last Saturday, is a hard lesson in top-level sports. She skated her best race, but sometimes the competition, like the Italian Francesca Lollobrigida, is just that little bit stronger.
Today, we naturally hope for a different outcome for the Dutch ladies. With Femke Kok and Jutta Leerdam, we have two world-class athletes who push each other to a higher level. That often happens in dance companies as well: healthy competition within a team ensures that everyone rises above themselves.
So make sure you're ready at 5:30 PM. The races can be followed live via the NOS and on NPO 1. It promises to be an afternoon full of technical feats and hopefully a golden edge for TeamNL.