Great Britain could be on the brink of history as Lilah Fear and Lewis Gibson fight for their first European Figure Skating gold in over three decades. The Sheffield-based duo delivered a thrilling performance in the first stage of the European Figure Skating Championships, sparking excitement among home fans at Utilita Arena.
The British pair, known affectionately as the “Disco Brits”, earned a season-best score of 85.47 points in the rhythm dance, leaving them second on the leaderboard ahead of Saturday’s free dance. Their flawless routine, set to a Spice Girls medley, was capped by a complex rotational lift that had the crowd cheering throughout.
Chasing a Historic Gold
Fear and Gibson are vying to end a 32-year drought for Britain at the European Championships. The last British ice dance champions were Dame Jayne Torvill and Sir Christopher Dean, who won in 1994.
Last year, Fear and Gibson made history by earning Great Britain’s first World Championship medal in over 40 years, and they have been podium regulars at the European Championships for the past three seasons. Their performances continue to showcase a combination of flair, precision, and daring athleticism.
A Home Crowd Advantage
Performing in front of their home crowd in Sheffield added an extra sparkle to their routine. Fear appeared in a sparkling Union Jack dress, reminiscent of Ginger Spice, while Gibson executed technically demanding lifts and synchronized twizzles with impeccable precision.
“Even when I was warming up backstage with headphones on I could hear the crowd, I knew it would be fun,” Fear said after the performance. Their five elements scored positively, with judges particularly praising their opening sequential twizzles and step sequences.
Fear and Gibson are now 1.5 points behind French leaders Laurence Fournier Beaudry and Guillaume Cizeron, and ahead of the reigning European champions, Italy’s Marco Fabbri and Charlene Guignard.
Bekker and Hernandez Impress
British fans also had more reason to cheer with the impressive performances of Phebe Bekker and James Hernandez, who qualified for the free dance with an 11th-place finish and a season-best score of 71.64.
The younger British duo performed to George Michael’s “Freedom”, combining energetic choreography with precision. Bekker, 20, and Hernandez, 24, credited the home crowd and relatively low pressure with helping them perform at their best.
“I was the least nervous I have ever been,” Bekker admitted. “There was almost no pressure; we had nothing to prove to the crowd. Our coach said we are here to enjoy it and the score doesn’t matter. It was exciting pressure.”
Hernandez added: “We let the muscle memory take over, and when we hit the end pose it was like ‘oh wow, we did it’.”
Fierce Competition from France and Italy
French ice dancers Laurence Fournier Beaudry and Guillaume Cizeron, a recently formed pair, set the standard with a flawless rhythm dance to a remix of Madonna’s “Vogue”, scoring 86.93 points. Despite less flair than Fear and Gibson, the French duo impressed with technical precision and clean lines, making them the team to beat.
Meanwhile, Italy’s Marco Fabbri, 37, and Charlene Guignard, 35, the oldest competitors at the championships, continue to demonstrate that experience counts. Returning to Sheffield—the site of their first European Championship together in 2012—they now face a new generation of British challengers.
Fear recalled, “I maybe gave Charlene flowers! I was just in awe of all these skaters, thinking maybe I could do that. It is surreal to be here, and hopefully I can inspire someone else to do it in the future.”
Free Dance: Full Creative Freedom Awaits
The top 20 pairs from the rhythm dance advance to the free dance, where skaters enjoy full creative freedom. Fear and Gibson plan a Scottish-themed medley to honor Gibson’s roots, complete with tartan costumes, promising another crowd-pleasing routine.
The final stage will determine medal positions, and with Fear and Gibson sitting second, Great Britain’s hopes of a historic gold medal are very much alive.
Conclusion: Team GB’s Rising Stars
Fear and Gibson’s performance in Sheffield demonstrates a blend of artistry, athleticism, and showmanship that could redefine British ice dance. Alongside Bekker and Hernandez, Team GB now boasts two competitive pairs heading to the 2026 Winter Olympics, ready to shine on the world stage.
As the free dance approaches, the excitement is palpable: British figure skating fans are witnessing history in the making, with the potential for the first European gold in 32 years and the continued rise of Britain’s ice dance renaissance.
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