Danilova and Tsiba Make History at World Championships, Despite Short Program Struggles
Prague, Czech Republic – Dutch pair skaters Daria Danilova and Michel Tsiba competed in the short program at the World Figure Skating Championships in Prague on Wednesday, March 25, 2026.1 This appearance marks a historic moment for Dutch figure skating, as they are the first Dutch pair to qualify for the World Championships and, more recently, the Winter Olympic Games.1
A Season of Achievements
Danilova and Tsiba have enjoyed a successful season, claiming the 2024 Bavarian Open title and the 2022 NRW Trophy championship.1 They are three-time Dutch national champions, having won the title in 2020, 2022, and 2025.1 They have also earned two silver medals at the International Challenge Cup in 2022 and 2025.1
Early Skating Career and Background
Michel Tsiba was born on December 21, 1997, in Groningen, Netherlands, to a Russian father and a Ukrainian mother.1 He began skating at the age of seven, initially aspiring to play ice hockey but was encouraged to develop his skating skills in a figure skating club first.1 Tsiba, who is 1.84 meters tall, currently skates out of the AIJC Alkmaar club.1 He is fluent in Russian.1
Coaching Team
Danilova and Tsiba are coached by Dmitri Savin, Fedor Klimov, Pavel Kitashev, and Knut Schubert.1
Recent Competition Results
Despite their prior successes, recent competitions have presented challenges. The pair finished in last place in the short freestyle at a recent competition, marking a difficult end to their Olympic qualifying season.2 However, their qualification for both the World Championships and the Winter Olympics demonstrates their consistent performance and potential on the international stage.
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