The 2026 Winter Games in Milan-Cortina are in full swing and I must be honest: my dance heart beats faster at what is currently happening on the ice. Although at Miss Salsa we usually stand on a wooden floor, the link with figure skating — and specifically Ice Dance — is incredibly strong. In my thirty years in the dance world, I have seen many disciplines come by, but the way technique and entertainment merge on the Olympic ice rink is something we as dancers can really learn from.
The 90s live again in the Rhythm Dance
Today, the Rhythm Dance was on the program at the Forum di Milano. For those who don’t watch figure skating daily: this is the segment where every couple is required to dance within a specific theme. This year, that theme is the 'upbeat 90s', and it provides a wonderful dose of nostalgia. The British duo Lilah Fear and Lewis Gibson, currently one of the biggest contenders for a medal, chose a medley of the Spice Girls. From 'Wannabe' to 'Spice Up Your Life', the energy was bursting out.
What I find so fascinating about their performance is the styling. Lilah appeared in a sparkling version of Geri Halliwell’s iconic Union Jack dress, while Lewis gave a nod to Mel B with a leopard print. It is exactly that daring to portray a character that we also need so badly in the salsa and show dance world. According to the live coverage from the BBC, they managed to set a season-best score, which keeps them directly in the race for the first British figure skating medal since the legendary Torvill & Dean.
George Michael and the art of the twizzle
Another couple that caught my attention is the young Phebe Bekker and James Hernandez. They chose the music of George Michael, with a mix of 'Freedom' and 'Killer'. If you look at their technical execution, you see how crucial the so-called 'twizzles' are — those lightning-fast turns on one leg while crossing the ice. In salsa, we just call those spins, but on the ice, a bizarre level of balance and timing is involved.
James and Phebe show that even with a more classic pop vibe, you can create a modern, sharp choreography. It’s not just 'moving nicely to the music'; it is top-level sport where every step must fall exactly on the beat. That is precisely the discipline I always try to instill in my students: technique is the foundation, but the music must be your soul.
Dutch success on the skating rink
Of course, as Dutch people, we cannot ignore the achievements of Jutta Leerdam. Although she falls into the category of long-track speed skating, her mindset as an athlete is an inspiration for everyone in the entertainment world. Jutta managed to take gold in the 1000 meters, an achievement that is also widely covered in the international media. For example, The Sun reports that her partner, the well-known YouTuber and boxer Jake Paul, was loudly present to support her.
What Jutta and the ice dancers have in common is the enormous pressure of performing at the right moment. In the dance world, we often have multiple chances, but at the Games, you have that one run, those few minutes in which everything must be right. The focus she radiates in the tunnel to the start is the focus you need for an important competition or a big show.
What can we as dancers learn from this?
From my experience, I see three big lessons in these Olympic performances that are directly applicable to the dance floor, whether you dance salsa, ballroom, or jazz:
- Entertainment value: Fear and Gibson prove that an audience (and a jury) immediately 'turns on' when you radiate recognizability and fun. Dare to act big.
- Synchronization under pressure: In the Rhythm Dance, couples must skate compulsory patterns. The precision with which they mirror each other's movements is unprecedented. Practice your choreography not until you get it right, but until you can't get it wrong.
- Music choice as a statement: By choosing icons like the Spice Girls or George Michael, you immediately claim an atmosphere. The music does half the work for you, provided you truly embody its energy in your movements.
The road to the Free Dance
The battle for the medals is not over yet. Wednesday is the Free Dance, where the couples have much more freedom in their choreography and music choice. Where the Rhythm Dance revolves around technical restrictions within a theme, the Free Dance is the moment when the real stories are told. I am curious to see if the British couples can keep their nerves under control. As the BBC aptly noted about the curling participants: sometimes even the best 'bottle' it at the last moment. Let’s hope the dancers keep a cool head on the ice.
It is wonderful to see how dance in this form gets a world stage. It reminds us that movement is a universal language, whether it is spoken on slippery ice in Italy or on a sweaty dance floor in Amsterdam. I will continue to follow the developments in Milan closely, because we can use this dose of inspiration well in the dance school.