The figure skating exhibition gala brought the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics to a festive close on 21 February, blending humour, artistry and emotional moments in a two-and-a-half-hour finale.
Italian legend Carolina Kostner opened the show on home ice, setting the tone for a night that featured 29 diverse performances — from dramatic solos and romantic duets to comedic routines and crowd-interactive numbers.
Highlights included Spain’s Olivia Smart and Tim Dieck turning the rink into a football pitch, while Estonia’s Niina Petrokina delivered a theatrical performance inspired by Cell Block Tango. France’s Adam Siao Him Fa impressed with a mid-skate costume reveal, and American star Ilia Malinin thrilled fans with high-energy jumps and signature backflips.
Romantic performances also stood out, notably from ice dance duo Madison Chock and Evan Bates, while Kazakhstan’s Olympic champion Mikhail Shaidorov brought comic relief in a panda costume during a martial arts-themed routine.
The evening ended with an emotional group performance uniting skaters from all disciplines. Japanese star Kaori Sakamoto closed the night with her traditional group selfie, marking a symbolic farewell to the Olympic ice and bringing the Milano Cortina figure skating programme to an uplifting end.
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