The tension in Milan rises to a boiling point
It is Tuesday evening in Milan and the atmosphere in the Milano Speed Skating Stadium is truly electric. In my thirty years in the dance world, I have experienced countless grand finals, from the most prestigious ballroom competitions in Blackpool to intimate theater productions, but the energy hanging here is of a completely different order. There is something about the Olympic Games that gives even a seasoned dancer goosebumps. It is not just about speed here; it is about the perfect control of the body, rhythm, and that one fraction of a second in which everything must fall into place.
Today is a day we have all been looking forward to: the draw for the men's 1,000 meters has just been announced. For Dutch skating fans, and honestly for everyone who loves top-tier sports, this is the moment of truth. The names have rolled out of the hat and we are preparing for a confrontation that already seems destined for the history books.
The draw: A clash of titans in heat 14
The draw has given us exactly what we hoped for, but what at the same time sends nerves through the throat. In the fourteenth heat, we see a direct duel between our own Jenning de Boo and the American sensation Jordan Stolz. It is a matchup that any sports enthusiast can only dream of. De Boo, the young dog with the explosive start, against Stolz, the man who has seemed almost unbeatable at this distance in recent years.
But there is more Dutch power on the ice in Milan. The heats for our men look as follows:
- Heat 10: Kjeld Nuis vs. Taiyo Nonomura (Japan)
- Heat 11: Joep Wennemars vs. Lian Ziwen (China)
- Heat 14: Jenning de Boo vs. Jordan Stolz (United States)
Kjeld Nuis, the experienced veteran and still a force to be reckoned with, gets to set the tone relatively early. Joep Wennemars, the reigning world champion, starts immediately after. Although Wennemars has the world title in his pocket, he chooses a modest role. He has indicated in interviews that he prefers to put the pressure on Stolz. That is a tactic we often see in the dance world as well: taking the underdog position to step onto the floor with less tension.
Jordan Stolz and the choice for focus
Big news also came out today regarding Jordan Stolz. The American was tipped by many to equal Eric Heiden's legendary 1980 record: five gold medals at one Winter Olympics. But his coach, Bob Corby, has confirmed that Stolz will definitely not participate in the team pursuit. According to Corby, this choice was made some time ago to keep the focus entirely on the individual distances.
From my experience as a dance coach, I fully understand this choice. Sometimes you have to drop an event to truly excel at your main goals. Stolz is skating the 500 meters, the 1,000 meters, the 1,500 meters, and the mass start in Milan. By scrapping the team pursuit, he protects his physical and mental energy for the distances where he is the absolute king. It is a strategic move that shows how seriously he takes the competition, including our Dutch men.
In a live blog from the NOS, it was confirmed that Stolz is feeling better every day. That bodes well for tomorrow's race.
The 'Quad God' and the bridge to the dance world
While the skaters prepare for their kilometer, another spectacle is on the program in Milan tonight that makes my heart beat faster. Ilia Malinin, also known as the 'Quad God', will be in action in the short program in figure skating. If you are talking about the ultimate fusion of sport and dance, you are talking about Malinin.
This boy has the leg muscles of a horse and the elegance of a ballet dancer. He is the first to land the quadruple axel and he brings a kind of bravado to the ice that we rarely see. He combines technical feats with a theatrical presentation, including his famous 'backflip' and flamboyant costumes. For me as a dance expert, it is fascinating to see how he defies the laws of physics. It reminds me that, whether you are on a skating rink or a wooden dance floor, the basis is the same: core stability, timing, and the courage to give yourself completely.
What we as dancers can learn from the 1000 meters
You might wonder what a 1,000-meter skate has to do with salsa or ballroom. Actually, quite a lot. The 1,000 meters is often called the 'king's distance' because it requires the perfect balance between the pure explosiveness of a sprinter and the endurance of a distance skater. In the dance world, we call that dynamics.
Take a good look at Jenning de Boo's start tomorrow. That first hundred meters is like the opening of a powerful choreography. If the start isn't good, you'll be trailing for the rest of the heat. But after that, it comes down to 'flow'. You have to maintain your speed without the lactic acid buildup in your legs destroying your technique. That is exactly what we do in an intensive competition round: you have to keep smiling and keep your lines sharp while your lungs are on fire.
Specifically, we can look at Kjeld Nuis's technique. He skates with a rhythm that is almost musical. Every stroke hits home, every movement is functional. There is no wasted energy. That is the efficiency we always emphasize in dance class as well. Not working harder, but moving smarter.
The road to gold
Tomorrow at 6:30 PM, it will begin in the Milano Speed Skating Stadium. The Dutch men have a tough task ahead with Stolz, but with world champion Wennemars, the experienced Nuis, and the unleashed De Boo, we have three irons in the fire who can all go for a medal. The fact that De Boo is skating directly against Stolz could work in his favor; he can pull himself along with the American's speed and hopefully pull something extra out of the bag in the last turn.
I will certainly be sitting in front of the TV. Not only to cheer on our compatriots, but also to enjoy the pure athletic beauty of this sport. Because whether it is on blades or on dance shoes, passion for movement is what connects us.
For those who want to follow the full details of the heats and preparations, you can visit the live report from NU.nl.