The Magic of Milan: Why We Are Watching the Ice
The atmosphere in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo is currently electric. While the world focuses on the medal table, I look at something completely different with my thirty years of experience in the dance world: the pure art of movement. Today, Sunday, February 8, 2026, one name takes center stage, capturing everyone's attention. Stijn van de Bunt is making his Olympic debut in the 5,000 meters. To many, it's a sporting achievement, but for the experts at Miss Salsa, it's a lesson in rhythm, balance, and technical perfection.
In speed skating, it's all about the 'stroke,' that fluid movement where power is converted into speed without breaking the rhythm. In the dance world, we call that flow. When I see Stijn van de Bunt skate, I don't see an athlete who just goes fast; I see a choreography on the ice. It's no coincidence that this young skater from Lopik is currently a trending topic. He brings a kind of uninhibitedness to the track that we also see in young dancers standing on a major international stage for the first time.
Sunday 4:00 PM: The Moment of Truth
In concrete terms, this means we will be glued to the screen at 4:00 PM this afternoon. Stijn van de Bunt will be in action early, in the second heat against Norwegian Sigurd Henriksen. That’s a tough draw, but according to the latest reports Van de Bunt is aiming for a new stunt. He is the underdog who surprised everyone during the Olympic Qualification Tournament (OKT) in December by winning both the 5,000 and 10,000 meters.
In the dance world, we also know this phenomenon: the dancer who reaches the final out of nowhere and challenges the establishment with a unique style. Van de Bunt has that same 'X-factor'. He doesn't skate according to the rulebook but relies on his own cadence. The fact that he has to start in heat two probably doesn't bother him. For an artist — and yes, that's how I see a top skater — the ice is his stage, regardless of when the lights go on.
The Technique Behind the Stunt
What can we as dancers learn from a 5,000-meter skater? Everything revolves around core stability and weight transfer. In a deep position on the ice, you must perfectly control your center of gravity, just as we do during a tight spin or a deep lunge in salsa. Stijn van de Bunt has mastered that technique to perfection. His ability to maintain pressure on the skate during turns is comparable to the control a dancer needs during a complex footwork section.
According to NOS reporting, the pressure in the Dutch camp is high, especially after Joy Beune's disappointing fourth-place finish yesterday. In such a climate of high expectations, the trick is to stay 'in your bubble.' That is exactly what Stijn seems to be doing. He focuses on his own race, his own rhythm. That’s a valuable lesson for anyone who ever suffers from stage fright: technique is your anchor, rhythm is your guide.
From Lopik to the World Stage
Stijn van de Bunt is only 21 years old (born April 6, 2004), but he skates with the maturity of a veteran. He comes from the Team IKO stable, where he trains under Martin ten Hove. The fact that he has managed to nestle himself among big names like Marcel Bosker and Chris Huizinga says everything about his mental resilience. In my thirty years of experience, I have seen many talents come and go, but those who truly stand the test of time are those who embrace the discipline of repetition.
Skating, like dancing, is a sport of endless repetition. Making the same stroke thousands of times to win that single fraction of a second. It is a painstaking labor of love that requires passion. Van de Bunt shows that passion pays off. He is not just there for himself but represents a new generation of Dutch athletes who dare to dream of gold, even when they don't start as favorites.
Lessons for the Dance Floor
When we watch heat two this afternoon, pay attention to the transition from the straightaway to the curve. That is the moment where the real technique becomes visible. It is a fluid transition, comparable to the transition between different dance styles in a show. It requires enormous flexibility in the hips and rock-solid focus.
- Rhythm maintenance: If you lose your rhythm, you lose your speed. This applies on the ice and on the dance floor.
- Mental calm: Don't let yourself be distracted by what the competition does in the heats before you.
- Focus on the basics: A stunt is only possible if the foundation (the technique) is rock solid.
It is wonderful to see how the sports world and the entertainment world come together here. Although Stijn van de Bunt is a skater, his achievement is an inspiration for everyone involved in movement. Whether you are in the skating union or on the floor at Miss Salsa, the dedication required to reach this level is universal.
Watching with an Expert Eye
In addition to Stijn van de Bunt, today we also see Marcel Bosker in the first heat and Chris Huizinga in the sixth heat. It promises to be an afternoon full of emotion. The Italian atmosphere in the stadium, the presence of the royal family, and international pressure make this an iconic moment. We saw yesterday how tough top-level sport can be with Beune's fourth place, but that is exactly what makes these Games so fascinating. Nothing is certain, except for the fact that we are witnessing top-level sport at the highest level.
If you watch this afternoon, pay special attention to the relaxation in Van de Bunt's upper body. That is where the real power comes from. A tense dancer moves stiffly; a tense skater loses gliding ability. Stijn has that natural relaxation, that 'coolness' required for an Olympic stunt. We will see at 4:00 PM. The ice is in good condition, the skates are sharpened, and the rhythm of Milan awaits our Dutch trump card.