With the Olympic Winter 2026 Games approaching this February in Milano and Cortina, two skaters from Michigan are chasing a dream that stretches far beyond the ice. Valentina Plazas and Maximiliano Fernandez, a pair training at Arctic Edge Ice Arena in Canton, aim to make history as the first Hispanic pairs team to represent the United States at the Olympics.
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Their journey is not just about competing at the highest level—it’s about carrying both their country and their heritage onto the Olympic stage. In 2024, they became the first Hispanic pairs team to compete in a world championship for Team USA. That milestone has fueled a deeper goal: standing at the Olympics and showing the world who they are, both as athletes and as individuals with unique backgrounds.
Even though we’re representing our country, we still have our backgrounds and things that we represent, Plazas said. I’m representing Team USA, but I’m Colombian I’m an immigrant. I’m doing things my own way, but in the way my family does it. So, it’s like representing yourself, too.
For both Plazas and Fernandez, the dream of wearing the U.S. team jacket and competing under the American flag began long before they became partners. The world of pairs skating demands not only technical skill but also seamless synchronization, trust, and courage. Throws and lifts are performed with split-second timing, requiring complete harmony between partners.
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Olympic Games: Far from Home, Fueled by Support
Since joining forces in 2020, they have trained under the guidance of Jim Peterson and Amanda Evora-Will, two of the sport’s most respected coaches. During training sessions at Arctic Edge Ice Arena, the pair constantly refine their routines, taking notes from Peterson on technique, performance, Olympic Games, and presentation. While the rigors of preparation have kept them from visiting their families in Miami.
Plazas and Fernandez have built a support system in Michigan that keeps them motivated. Jim and Amanda are our biggest fans, Plazas said. They’re doing everything they can in our best interest. Far from family, they draw strength from the values instilled by their parents. Both grew up in Southern Florida in families where hard work, perseverance, and athleticism were central to daily life.
These early lessons shaped the mindset they bring to every practice and competition. Fernandez is a first-generation immigrant with Cuban and Peruvian roots. His mother, a former ballet dancer for the Cuban ballet, emphasized discipline and commitment. My mom’s always been very supportive in a positive way, of, if you’re gonna do this, you gotta try your best, he said.
Plazas arrived in the United States from Bogota, Colombia, at six years old. Her parents worked tirelessly to build a new life while guiding her through sports like soccer, gymnastics, softball, and volleyball. Her father, a devoted fan of the movie Rocky, taught her resilience and determination.
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Olympic Tickets: Taking Risks for Opportunity
My dad would push Rocky into me, Plazas said. I grew up with that. So that’s kind of how I just keep going. Even on tough days. It’s just the Rocky mentality. After officially partnering in February 2020, Plazas and Fernandez made a bold decision: they would move to Michigan to continue training under Peterson and Evora-Will.
Most of the Florida skaters they had known did not follow, but the pair saw this as an opportunity they could not pass up. I saw this as an opportunity, Fernandez said. I was like, okay, if we move, we’re going to have the most amount of time with them. Fernandez had been training with Peterson and Evora-Will since 2017, while Plazas met them in late 2019.
Despite the short history, both recognized that relocating was their best option. I was in a bad situation at my rink, and I wanted to leave, Olympic Tickets, Plazas explained. I knew that saying yes would come with moving to Michigan. I’ve said to myself, I’d rather say I tried than question, What if I had done it? The gamble paid off.
The team won bronze at the 2021 Junior National Championships and another bronze at the 2024 U.S. National Championships. Yet their path has not been without setbacks. In 2025, they were forced to spend time apart after Fernandez suffered an injury to his left patella tendon. Even with these challenges, their determination and commitment have remained unwavering. Olympic Tickets.
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