The 'Blonde Arrow' hits the mark again on the ice
When I look at Arianna Fontana, I don't see an ordinary skater. I see a choreography of pure power and flexibility that we recognize all too well in the dance world. Last Tuesday, February 10, 2026, the 'Angelo Biondo' (the Blonde Angel) proved once again why she is the undisputed queen of short track. In a sweltering Forum di Milano, she literally danced to gold during the mixed relay, her twelfth Olympic medal in a career that now spans six Winter Games.
The atmosphere in Milan is currently electric. While the Winter Games from February 6 to 22, 2026, hold Italy in their grip, Fontana is the radiant center. In her home village of Berbenno di Valtellina, priest Don Nicola did not hesitate for a second: as soon as the gold was won, the church bells rang throughout the valley. It is that typically Italian passion that we also value so much at Miss Salsa; it is not just about the technique, but about the heart you put into the battle.
The technique of an ice ballerina
In my 30 years in the dance world, I have studied many athletes, and short trackers are essentially the ballroom dancers of the ice. Just look at the way Fontana takes a corner. The deep crouch, the crossovers reminiscent of a lightning-fast grapevine in Latin dance, and the way she uses her center of gravity to tame the centrifugal force. It is pure body control.
What made this victory extra special was the way the Italian team finished. Short tracker Pietro Sighel even crossed the line backwards, cheering with pure joy. According to a report by the NOS, this was the ultimate symbol of Italian dominance at this tournament. It is a form of expression you normally only see on the dance floor: mastering the technique so well that you have the space for a bit of showmanship.
Home advantage and rattling precious metal
Host country Italy is currently chasing its medal record from 1994 (then 20 pieces). With fourteen medals on the tally so far, including the sensational gold of skier Federica Brignone in the super-G, that record seems within reach. Alessandra Rotili, sports editor at news agency Ansa, emphasizes that the emotional element of a home game pushes athletes to unprecedented heights. I often see that with dancers too; an enthusiastic audience gives you that extra five percent of energy you need for the perfect performance.
Yet there is a notable blemish on the festivities. Several athletes, including American skier Breezy Johnson and figure skater Alysa Liu, are complaining about the quality of the medals. According to an article in Het Parool, the ribbons are coming loose and the metal is damaging quickly. The Italian Mint has since offered to repair all defective medals. It's a bit of the 'Italian touch' that we sometimes have to smile about, although for a top athlete who trains for years, it's naturally a tough pill to swallow.
What we as dancers can learn from Fontana
Specifically, we can draw an important lesson from the performances of the now 35-year-old Fontana: resilience. Arianna was born on April 14, 1990, in Sondrio and started skating at the age of four. In her long career, she has survived disputes with federations, moved to Hungary to train, and returned stronger every time. That perseverance is exactly what a dancer needs when a choreography doesn't work out immediately or when injuries throw a spanner in the works.
Her focus in the Milano Ice Skating Arena was rock solid. While tickets for these sessions ranged from €40 to as much as €500, she remained icy calm under the enormous pressure of the home crowd. That is the flow we are always looking for in the dance world: becoming completely absorbed in the movement, regardless of what is happening around you.
The magic of Milan-Cortina 2026
The Games last until February 22, and there is still plenty on the program. For those who love the aesthetics of movement, figure skating in Milan is, of course, an absolute highlight. But don't underestimate short track; it is the most explosive form of dance I know. Arianna Fontana has definitively secured her place in the history books as the most decorated Italian winter sports athlete ever.
Italy shows that sport and culture are inextricably linked. From the bells in Berbenno to the stylish (but somewhat fragile) medals: it is a spectacle with a capital 'S'. At Miss Salsa, we look with admiration at these athletes who show that top performance always starts with passion and ends in a perfectly executed movement.