Dance on the Ice: The Magic of Milan 2026
As the freezing cold sweeps across the Italian Alps, the atmosphere in the Milano Ice Skating Arena is currently red hot. As a dance expert with over 30 years of experience, I look at the Winter Olympics with a very different perspective than the average sports fan. To me, figure skating is not a 'sport' in the traditional sense of the word; it is a high-stakes dance performance on a razor-sharp edge. And what we have seen in Milan over the past few days is truly historic.
The second day of these Games was entirely dedicated to the climax of the team event. It was a nerve-wracking battle between the powerhouses Japan and the United States. Ultimately, the Americans came out on top and took the gold, partly thanks to a phenomenal program by their showpiece Ilia Malinin. Japan took home the silver, and host country Italy caused an explosion of joy in the arena by capturing the bronze.
The 'Quad God' Makes History with a Forbidden Jump
Let's talk about Ilia Malinin for a moment. In the corridors, he is called the 'Quad God,' and for good reason. This 21-year-old athlete is pushing boundaries that we considered impossible for years. But what makes these Games truly special is not just his technical score of 200.03 in the free skate, but that one specific move: the backflip.
For those who don't know the history of figure skating: the backflip had been officially banned in competitions since 1976. The International Skating Union (ISU) considered it too dangerous. But in June 2024, this ban was finally lifted. Malinin seized this moment in Milan to become the first man ever to land a legal backflip on Olympic ice. At Miss Salsa, we know how important expression and risk are in choreography, and Malinin showed that acrobatics and elegance can indeed go together. The crowd went absolutely wild, and rightly so. According to a report by the NOS, it was one of the most impressive moments of the evening.
The Legacy of Surya Bonaly
I cannot write about a backflip without mentioning the name Surya Bonaly. In 1998, during the Nagano Games, she did something that is still etched in my memory. She knew she wouldn't win a medal anymore and decided, as a protest against the rigid jury, to land an illegal backflip on one leg. She was demoted to tenth place, but she became a legend. The fact that Malinin is now reaping the benefits of that rebellion feels like a full circle to me. It shows that dance and sport are always in motion and that rules are there to be challenged.
Kaori Sakamoto: The Elegance of the 'Last Dance'
In addition to the technical prowess of the men, there was the pure aesthetics of Kaori Sakamoto. The Japanese three-time world champion skated a virtually flawless program to the chansons of Édith Piaf. Her movements are fluid, her lines are long, and her presence is unprecedented. It is actually quite sad that she announced her retirement after these Games. In the dance world, we often say you should retire at your peak, and Sakamoto is doing just that with a silver team medal in her pocket and a performance that will be discussed for years to come.
The competition among the women was of an unprecedented level anyway. With her score of 148.62, Sakamoto managed to bring Japan back side-by-side with the US, but ultimately the depth of the American team was just a bit stronger. It shows that figure skating at this level is not just about who makes the highest jump, but about who makes the fewest mistakes under immense pressure.
What We as Dancers Can Learn from the Ice
You might wonder: what's in it for me when I'm on the dance floor instead of the ice? Well, a lot. The focus of these athletes on their core stability and their ability to get back 'in character' immediately after a mistake is a lesson for every performer. Look at Matteo Rizzo, the Italian who skated for his home crowd. He radiated such joy that the technical flaws were almost unnoticeable. That is the power of performance: taking your audience along in your story.
In addition, music choice in figure skating is a craft in itself. We saw everything this weekend, from classical themes by Canadian Stephen Gogolov to the emotional French chansons of Sakamoto. It shows that the right music can help you transform a technical exercise into an artistic work of art.
The Dutch Perspective: Waiting for the Medals
Although in the Netherlands we mainly watch long-track speed skating, the medal drought in Milan is currently a hot topic. After two days, the tally for 'Oranje' is still at zero, partly due to the strong skating of the Italian Francesca Lollobrigida in the 3,000 meters. According to experts like Mark Tuitert, that will change on Monday when Jutta Leerdam, Femke Kok, and Suzanne Schulting take to the ice. As can be read on NU.nl, hopes are pinned on the women's 1,000 meters.
But for now, I'm still enjoying the figure skaters. The discipline, the glitter, the drama, and the enormous physical strength required for those quadruple jumps... it remains the most beautiful part of the Winter Olympics. If you have the chance to follow the individual events in the coming days via the NOS live blogs, be sure to do so. It is a masterclass in movement that you don't want to miss.
The Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo will last until February 22, 2026. Should you get the itch to see these athletes live: tickets are available through the official channels of Milano Cortina 2026, though you'll have to be quick because the arenas are almost full. For the dance lovers among us, this is the moment to see how top-tier sport and art blend seamlessly together.