Historic shutout in Milan: USA sets Canada aside
Who would have thought? The rivalry between the American and Canadian women in ice hockey is legendary, but what we saw on the fourth day of the Winter Games in Milan was truly unprecedented. In the Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena, history was written when Team USA won against Canada by no less than 5-0. For the first time in Olympic history, the Americans succeeded in defeating their arch-rival without conceding a single goal.
From my experience in the dance world, I often look at these kinds of matches with a different perspective. It's not just about power, but about timing and mutual understanding. The American ladies moved as one collective. Hannah Bilka was the star of the evening with two goals, but Caroline Harvey, Kirsten Simms, and Laila Edwards also found the net. What made the biggest impression, however, was the performance of goalie Aerin Frankel. She stood there with a focus I only see in soloists just before they go on stage. She was simply impossible to pass.
The Canadian team, which had to do without their injured captain Marie-Philip Poulin, seemed lost. In a sport where every second counts, the difference in sharpness was painfully visible. For the fans who wanted to be there: tickets for these preliminary rounds started at around 30 euros, but for the final taking place later this month, prices rise up to as much as 1,400 euros. Source: Vietnam.vn
The 'Quad God' on the ice: Ilia Malinin dances to the top
When we talk about dancing on ice, we cannot ignore Ilia Malinin. The 21-year-old American, who carries the nickname 'Quad God', set a score of 108.16 in the short program. That is not just a number; that is pure dominance. He skated to 'Dies Irae' from the video game The Lost Crown, and what he showed there defied the laws of physics.
Malinin landed a quadruple flip and a quadruple lutz with an ease that many a dancer would be jealous of. But the most talked-about moment? The backflip. For years, this was a forbidden element in official competitions, but Malinin has brought it all the way back to the Olympic stage. In the dance world, we know this too: techniques that were first seen as 'too risky' or 'not fitting', but are embraced by a visionary until they become the new standard.
His biggest competitors, Yuma Kagiyama from Japan (103.07) and the Frenchman Adam Siao Him Fa (102.55), did fantastic, but Malinin has already created a gap. What I found so beautiful about his interview afterwards was that he admitted to having turned on 'autopilot'. We recognize that immediately at Miss Salsa: you train for thousands of hours so that at the supreme moment you can switch off your mind and let your body do the work. That is where sport and art meet.
Italian passion and gold in the relay
The home crowd in the Milano Ice Skating Arena naturally came for their own heroes, and they were not disappointed. Arianna Fontana, now 35 years old and participating in her sixth Olympic Games, led the Italian team to gold in the mixed 2000-meter short track relay. With a time of 2:39.019, they finished just ahead of Canada and Belgium.
Fontana now has twelve Olympic medals to her name. That is a significant achievement. In the dance world, we often talk about 'durability'. How do you stay relevant and fit after decades in the profession? Fontana is the living proof that experience and tactics can win out over the impetuousness of youth. The way she cuts through the corners reminds me of the fluid movements in a perfectly executed rumba; every shift of weight is calculated and efficient.
Style on the ice: The fashion of 2026
In addition to the sporting performances, there was also plenty to experience in terms of fashion. The Turkish delegation appeared in outfits that were locally and nationally produced by the well-known brand Vakko. It is interesting to see how countries express their identity through their clothing. The Turkish designs are praised for their simplicity and the use of heavier materials that radiate a certain elegance. Source: Yeniçağ Gazetesi
The Americans also went all out with classic Ralph Lauren designs, including wool duffle coats and the iconic red-white-and-blue hats. For the true fashionistas, there was even a Moschino x Snoop Dogg capsule collection launched specifically for these Games. It shows once again that the presentation – whether you're on the ice or on the dance floor – is an important part of the whole picture. Your appearance determines how the audience and the jury look at you.
What we as dancers can learn from these athletes
Looking at this fourth day in Milan, I see three important lessons for everyone involved in dance or performance. First: the power of the shutout. In ice hockey, it means keeping the opponent at zero. In dance, it means performing a routine so tightly that there is no room for criticism. It's about iron discipline and flawless technique.
Second: innovation within the rules. Ilia Malinin shows that you can push the boundaries of your discipline by adding elements that others don't dare to. Whether that's a backflip on the ice or a daring lift in a salsa choreography, dare to stand out.
Finally, there is mental peace. Malinin called it his 'autopilot'. You only achieve that through repetition. At Miss Salsa, we often say: don't practice until you get it right, practice until you can't get it wrong anymore. The pressure of the Olympic Games is enormous, but those who can turn their nerves into focus are the ones who go home with the gold.
The coming days promise much more spectacle in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo. Whether it's the speed of the skaters or the graceful jumps of the figure skaters, the passion is felt everywhere. In any case, I will continue to follow it closely, because there is nothing more beautiful than elite sport bordering on art.