Australian Ice Dance Duo Achieves Historic Olympic Milestone
In a dazzling display of skill and artistry on the ice, Australian ice dancers Holly Harris and Jason Chan have etched their names in the history books at the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. Their performance has secured them the highest-ever Olympic placement for an Australian ice dance team, a significant achievement for the sport Down Under.
Australian athletes take to Italy for the 2026 Winter Olympics
Meet the Trailblazers: Holly Harris and Jason Chan
The dynamic duo, Holly Harris and Jason Chan, represent a new era for Australian ice dance.
Holly Harris: Born on 2 November 2002 in Sydney, Holly initially made her mark as a formidable singles skater. Her early success included clinching the Australian junior title in 2016 and earning a spot in the final segment of the 2017 World Junior Championships. A pivotal career shift occurred in 2019 when she transitioned to ice dance. Since then, she has achieved the coveted Australian national champion title twice with her partner, Jason Chan.
Jason Chan: Born on 12 August 1996 in Montreal, Canada, Jason began his competitive skating journey in his home country. He achieved national novice ice dance honours before joining forces with Holly in 2019. The pair made the strategic decision to relocate and train full-time at the renowned Ice Academy of Montreal, a move that has clearly paid dividends.
Together, Holly and Jason have consistently represented Australia on the international stage, competing at prestigious events such as the ISU Four Continents and World Championships. They have regularly finished within the top 20 and have consistently set new personal best scores on the Challenger Series circuit, showcasing their steady progression and dedication.
The Gruelling Road to the Winter Games
The journey to Olympic qualification was far from a smooth sail for Harris and Chan. Their aspirations for the 2022 Beijing Winter Games were dashed when they narrowly missed out, finishing as the fourth reserves at the final qualifying competition. This setback, however, only fuelled their determination.
Their breakthrough moment arrived in September 2025 at the crucial Olympic qualifying event in Beijing, the Skate to Milano competition. A stellar second-place finish in this event secured Australia a coveted quota spot in ice dance for the Milano-Cortina 2026 Games. This marked the first time Australia had earned a berth in Olympic ice dance since the 2014 Sochi Games, highlighting the significance of their achievement.
In the lead-up to the Olympics, the pair continued to build momentum with impressive competitive results. They secured a silver medal at the ISU Challenger Series Trialeti Trophy and achieved a career-best fifth-place finish at the 2026 Four Continents Championships, demonstrating their readiness for the ultimate stage.
Olympic Performance and a New Benchmark
At the Winter Olympics, Holly Harris and Jason Chan captivated audiences with their Free Dance, performed to the evocative strains of ‘Clair de Lune’. Their routine was a masterclass in intricate step sequences and seamless lifts, earning widespread acclaim from commentators for its exceptional fluidity and undeniable style. One commentator even described their performance as “flawless.”
Their remarkable skate earned them a place in the Free Dance final, where they ultimately finished 18th overall. This result not only signifies their personal best Olympic achievement but also establishes a new benchmark for Australian ice dance on the Olympic stage.
Adding a touch of star power and historical connection to their journey, legendary ice dancers Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean were present to cheer them on. Notably, Christopher Dean had previously coached Holly during her formative years as a skater, adding a poignant layer to their Olympic presence.
The choice of costumes also played a significant role in their presentation. For the ice dance competition, Jason proposed the vibrant green and gold colours, a deliberate choice to represent Australia. He also drew inspiration from “JLo’s iconic green Versace dress,” aiming for a bold and memorable look.
“The first time I tried it on, I was so excited – I just felt so proud and was like, ‘I’m going to be representing Australia on the ultimate stage’. It’s just so empowering,” Holly shared. She further elaborated on the importance of attire in their discipline: “The costume plays a huge role in the overall presentation of your performance. In ice dance especially, it’s an art, we are telling a story and performing to each other and the audience.”
However, for their Free Dance, the duo opted for a different ensemble. Initially, Holly had considered a black costume, but a strategic shift was made to avoid blending in with other competitors.
“We noticed a lot of other teams were wearing black so we decided to bring in a different colour and see if it can stand out more,” she explained. The new costume was designed to be a striking grey-blue, adorned with blue stones, while Jason would wear navy, creating a harmonious and complementary look. The artistic inspiration behind this costume was the ethereal image of “stars in the sky dripping down,” promising a highly sparkly and visually captivating performance.
EXCLUSIVE: Torvill and Dean’s last dance
Their success is particularly noteworthy as it breaks a 12-year hiatus for Australian ice dance in the Olympic competition, setting a new standard for future generations.
“It felt really good,” Holly expressed when reflecting on their performance. “We came here to do a job, and we did that, and we’re just so happy.” She added, “It feels like we put everything out there and showed what we’re capable of. It’s amazing to think that all that work before the scenes and all the years of training together ended up with this moment. It’s a dream come true.”
Holly Harris’s journey to the Olympics began at the young age of 13 when she relocated from Sydney to Colorado Springs to access more advanced skating opportunities. From a very early age, her passion for figure skating was evident, coupled with an unwavering determination to compete at the Olympic level.
“I hope this will inspire other Australians to give ice dance a go. I started out as a singles skater, and I always dreamed of being at the Olympics,” Holly continued. “But I never imagined that I would be an Olympic ice dancer; I’m so glad I tried it out.”
Their historic achievement is a testament to their dedication, resilience, and the growing profile of ice dance in Australia.
