The 2026 Winter Games: More than just speed
It may seem far away, but in the world of elite sports and professional performance, February 2026 is already frighteningly close. The Olympic Winter Games in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo promise to be a spectacle where sport and artistry meet. As a dancer, I look at these events through a different lens. Where some see only records, I see the fluid movements, the control, and the expression that we also strive for daily on the dance floor at Miss Salsa.
When will the Dutch compete?
The program for the Dutch athletes is now firmly in place. The Games kick off with a spectacular opening ceremony on Friday, February 6, 2026 in the iconic San Siro stadium in Milan. For skating fans, the real work begins immediately after.
According to the schedule from AD.nl, these are the most important dates for TeamNL:
- February 7 to 21: Long track speed skating at the Milano Speed Skating Stadium. We expect a lot here from names like Jutta Leerdam, Femke Kok, and Joy Beune.
- February 10 to 20: Short track action with Xandra Velzeboer and Suzanne Schulting.
- February 15 and 16: A historic moment for the Netherlands with pair figure skating.
- February 22: The closing ceremony in the Verona Arena.
Historic debut: Dancing on figure skates
In my thirty years in the dance world, I have seen many disciplines, but the crossover between dance and figure skating remains one of the most technically challenging forms of movement. In 2026, Michel Tsiba and Daria Danilova are going to make history. It is the first time that a Dutch pair will participate in figure skating at the Olympic Games.
On Sunday, February 15, they will skate their short program, and on Monday, February 16, the free skate will follow. This is where sport literally becomes dance. The way they have to convey their emotion while balancing on an iron edge of a few millimeters is pure art. In the dance world, we often talk about 'presence' and 'performance level'. These athletes must deliver that under pressure that is almost inhuman.
What we as dancers can learn from winter athletes
You might wonder what a salsa or ballroom dancer gains from watching skating. The answer is: everything. The core stability a short tracker needs to achieve those deep angles in the turns is exactly the same strength a dancer needs for a stable spin or a powerful lift.
Additionally, there is the aspect of 'performing for the back row'. In the huge halls in Milan, figure skaters must tell their story to thousands of people at once. That requires exaggerated facial expressions and body language that we also use in show dance. It's about magnifying your emotion without losing control over your technique. That is the essence of every good performance.
The locations in Italy
The Games are spread across various regions, but for the ice disciplines (which are closest to dance), we need to be in Milan. The figure skating takes place in the Milano Ice Skating Arena (Mediolanum Forum). This is a place where the acoustics and lighting are specially tuned to the artistic value of the sport. For those who want to be there: ticket prices vary greatly by discipline, but expect amounts between 150 and 500 euros for popular finals.
The discipline behind the smile
What always touches me about the Winter Games is the discipline. We see the glitter suits and the smile at the award ceremony, but the years of trial and error that precede it often remain invisible. We recognize that at Miss Salsa too. A choreography only looks easy when there are hundreds of hours of sweat put into it.
While TeamNL prepares for the cold of Northern Italy, we here in the Netherlands can draw inspiration from their perseverance. Whether it's a gold medal in the 1000 meters or finally mastering those tricky steps in class: the mindset is the same. We look forward to February 2026, where sport, music, and movement come together on the highest stage in the world.