As the countdown continues to the highly anticipated 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Milano Cortina, Italian figure skating duo Sara Conti and Niccolò Macii are more about zen than tension. With only a month to go until their Olympic debut, they reveal their unconventional strategies for maintaining calm amid a flurry of activity: wedding planning and intense competition.
While Macii manages two intricate timelines—his upcoming wedding and Olympic preparations—he insists that planning the nuptials isn’t as nerve-wracking as it might seem. “It’s not stressful, really!” he said, countering laughter from his partner Conti, who ribbed him about the challenges of wedding planning. The pair, preparing for their performance on home ice, radiate a relaxed energy that speaks volumes about their growth this season.
Key to their mental clarity is the mantra they’re adopting this year: “accept.” Feeling a sense of belonging among the top teams has allowed them to approach competition differently, focusing more on enjoyment than pressure. “We know we can fight with the others,” Macii stated confidently, shifting their mindset to embrace both triumphs and setbacks.
Reflecting on last season, where disappointment lingered post-Grand Prix Final, they recognized the importance of resilience. “Every day can be different,” Macii said, emphasizing the need for self-acceptance. Conti added that focusing on small victories transforms their performances, contributing to a dramatic amalgamation of technical prowess and sheer emotional investment.
This year, their programs reflect this growth, featuring intricate choreography set to evocative music. Choreographer Matteo Zanni helped them achieve stunning visuals in their short program, while they turned to AI for brainstorming free skate selections, ultimately choosing “Caruso” to capture their Italian heritage.
On a different note, as they blend professional aspirations with personal milestones, Macii revels in juggling wedding tasks like seeking out unique smoke bomb displays—younger and fresher than traditional fireworks. Balancing preparations with Olympic training enables him to avoid overwhelming thoughts of competition.
Meanwhile, Conti is eager for her own personal unveilings as she navigates potential pet ownership post-Games. With life back on track, this Olympic season promises to be an exciting blend of passion, perseverance, and plenty of surprises for these rising stars of figure skating.
