Team GB Figure Skating at Milano-Cortina 2026: A Guide for European Ice Skaters

With the 2026 Winter Games in Milano-Cortina approaching quickly, figure skating fans across Europe have much to look forward to. Great Britain is assembling one of its largest and most skilled teams in years, set to compete in ice dance, pairs skating, singles skating, and the Olympic team event. Whether you're putting on ice skates for the first time or training at a competitive level, these athletes stand at the pinnacle of the sport in the UK and inspire skaters of all ages.

At SkateHut, we love witnessing how elite figure skating athletes inspire skaters at every level. From the precise edges in ice dance to the high-flying jumps in singles skating, the Olympics showcase how technique, artistry, and dedication come together on the ice. Additionally, observing these athletes' performances highlights why top-notch skating equipment, including perfectly fitted ice skates, is essential.

Team GB’s Ice Dance Stars

Ice dance remains one of Britain's most robust and celebrated figure skating disciplines, merging intricate footwork, musicality, and storytelling. Unlike singles or pairs, ice dance focuses on precision, rhythm, and the connection between partners, making it a true showcase of both artistry and athletic prowess. Team GB has produced some of the world’s most inspiring ice dance teams, and the 2026 Olympics spotlight both seasoned champions and emerging talents.

Lilah Fear & Lewis Gibson

Returning to the Olympic stage after Beijing 2022, Lilah Fear (born 1999) and Lewis Gibson (born 1994) have established themselves as the leading British ice dance team. They began skating together in 2016 and quickly ascended through national and international ranks, blending technical mastery with creativity and showmanship. Their 2025 World Championship bronze was historic, marking the first Worlds medal for British ice dance in more than forty years, and cementing their status as pioneers in the sport.

Fear and Gibson are renowned for programs that combine athletic complexity with narrative storytelling. Their routines often include intricate lifts, synchronized twizzles, and dynamic footwork sequences, all performed with impeccable harmony. They frequently incorporate music and themes celebrating British culture, connecting with audiences emotionally while maintaining top-tier technical precision.

Off the ice, Fear and Gibson serve as mentors and role models for younger UK skaters. They share insights on training routines, the proper use of ice skates, and how to build endurance, balance, and edge control - essentials for anyone learning ice dance. Their journey illustrates that success in figure skating stems not only from talent but from dedicated practice, teamwork, and passion for the sport. Many young skaters in the UK cite Fear and Gibson as inspirations for stepping into their first pair of ice skates or joining local skating clubs.

In addition to their technical skill, Fear and Gibson are celebrated for their expressive performances, where storytelling and emotion are as important as jumps or lifts. Each program is crafted to highlight their unique style - fluid, bold, and sometimes playful - demonstrating that ice dance is a sport where creativity is as crucial as precision.

Phebe Bekker & James Hernandez

Bekker (born 2005) and Hernandez (born 2001) are the fresh faces of British ice dance, set to make their Olympic debut in 2026. Despite being a newer partnership, they have already achieved significant milestones, including becoming the first British ice dancers to medal on the junior Grand Prix circuit. Their rise reflects both natural talent and a disciplined approach to mastering ice dance fundamentals, from edge quality to synchronization.

Bekker and Hernandez are recognized for their expressive, narrative-driven choreography, often inspired by classical music, literature, and iconic themes such as Romeo and Juliet. Their programs emphasize fluidity, musicality, and connection, drawing the audience into the story while showcasing clean, precise skating. As they continue to develop their technical skills, they are steadily incorporating more advanced lifts, spins, and footwork sequences, demonstrating that youth and innovation are key to the future of UK skating.

The duo also represents the next generation of British ice dancers, showing how young skaters can achieve international success with dedication, teamwork, and high-quality skating equipment. For beginners and competitive skaters alike, Bekker and Hernandez’s performances highlight the importance of combining technical skill with artistry, encouraging young athletes to focus on both performance and athletic training.

Off the ice, Bekker and Hernandez are known for their energetic, positive approach to training, inspiring their peers and the broader UK skating community. They regularly work on improving balance, timing, and edge control in their ice skates, offering a model for skaters aiming to perform at elite levels while maintaining expressiveness and connection with the music.

British Pairs Skating Competitors

Pairs skating is one of the most challenging and thrilling disciplines in figure skating, requiring a perfect blend of athleticism, precision, and trust between partners. Teams perform lifts, throw jumps, side-by-side spins, and synchronized footwork sequences, all executed at high speed and with exact timing. Success in pairs skating depends not only on strength and coordination but also on technical skill, artistry, and the right skating equipment, including well-fitted ice skates that allow for control, balance, and smooth edges. Watching a pairs routine showcases how skaters combine daring athletic elements with expressive storytelling, making it one of the most exciting events for fans and an inspiring model for young UK skaters learning their first jumps and lifts.

Anastasia Vaipan-Law & Luke Digby

Vaipan-Law (born 1999) and Digby have been skating together for several seasons and are multiple British champions. This will be their first Olympic appearance, having built international experience through the Challenger Series and European Championships. Their skating emphasizes clean lines, strong lifts, and precise timing, all of which require excellent ice skates and well-maintained skating equipment.

Vaipan-Law and Digby are recognized for their strong partnership, synchronization, and artistry on ice, consistently delivering routines that blend technical difficulty with fluid, expressive movement. Their programs include complex lifts, side-by-side spins, and throw jumps, all executed with precision and timing, demonstrating the importance of high-quality ice skates and properly maintained skating equipment for elite performance. As they continue to compete internationally, the duo has become a symbol of Britain’s rising prominence in pairs skating, showing that UK skaters can challenge traditional powerhouses while inspiring young athletes to pursue the discipline. Off the competitive ice, Vaipan-Law and Digby are also known for mentoring younger skaters, sharing tips on footwork, balance, and safe use of skating equipment, helping to grow the next generation of British figure skaters.

Singles Skating: Women and Men

Kristen Spours

Competing in both women’s singles and the team event, Kristen Spours is a multi-time British national champion and one of the UK’s most accomplished skaters. She began skating after being inspired by televised figure skating performances, and her passion quickly grew into a career at the elite level. After overcoming injury, she returned to competition with determination, earning her spot at the 2026 Winter Games. Spours is celebrated for her expressive choreography, clean jumps, and strong spins, making her a role model for younger skaters practicing in their own ice skates. Her skating demonstrates how combining technical skill with musical interpretation creates routines that are both athletic and emotionally engaging, inspiring the next generation of British figure skaters.

Edward Appleby

Edward Appleby will represent Great Britain in the men’s singles segment of the team event, marking him as one of the country’s rising stars. A three-time British national champion, Appleby has steadily increased the difficulty of his programs, adding advanced jumps, complex spins, and intricate footwork while maintaining smooth, flowing transitions. His performances highlight the importance of mastering both technical elements and artistry, from precise edges in ice skates to musical interpretation, and demonstrate the growing depth of UK men’s figure skating. As a role model for young athletes, Appleby’s journey shows how dedication, consistent training, and high-quality skating equipment can help skaters reach the international stage.

A Brief History of Figure Skating and UK Legacy

Figure skating has been part of the Olympic tradition since 1908, when it appeared at the London Summer Games. When the Winter Olympics began in 1924, figure skating became a core event. The team event was introduced in 2014, adding a new dimension to the sport.

Great Britain has a proud history in figure skating, earning 15 Winter Olympic medals. Iconic British skaters include John Curry, Robin Cousins, and legendary ice dancers Jayne Torvill & Christopher Dean, whose gold-medal Boléro performance in 1984 remains a defining moment in Olympic history. Today’s skaters, like Fear & Gibson and Bekker & Hernandez, continue that legacy, inspiring young UK skaters to step into their first ice skates and dream big.

Looking Ahead to Milano-Cortina 2026

With the 2026 Winter Games on the horizon, Team GB stands out in ice dancing, while their pairs and singles continue to grow and impress. The team event underscores each skater’s contribution to the nation's total score, highlighting both collaboration and individual skill.

For skaters, parents, and coaches in the UK, Milano-Cortina 2026 represents more than just a competition - it is a demonstration of skill, artistry, and commitment. Whether you're practicing your first spins on ice skates or watching top-tier performances on TV, these athletes illustrate what can be achieved with passion, perseverance, and the appropriate skating gear.