Bekker & Hernandez sign off strong in senior Grand Prix debut at Skate America
- luis6528
- 12 minutes ago
- 2 min read
Phebe Bekker and James Hernandez have completed a landmark week in Lake Placid, delivering a composed and confident senior Grand Prix debut at Skate America and finishing eighth overall in a high-class ice dance field.
Competing at the Herb Brooks Arena, the British ice dance duo scored 66.81 in the Rhythm Dance and 106.35 in the Free Dance for a combined total of 173.16 points, moving up to seventh in the Free Dance and eighth overall.
Strong scores on senior Grand Prix debut
Bekker & Hernandez opened their campaign with a stylish Rhythm Dance, to George Michael's Freedom, to place eighth on 66.81 points, before stepping up again in their Romeo and Juliet Free Dance where they posted 106.35, their highest free dance score of the season so far. Their total of 173.16 saw them finish just behind established Grand Prix and Championship medallists, underlining how quickly they are settling into the senior elite.
This latest performance continues a strong start to the 2025–26 Olympic season. Earlier this autumn the pair claimed silver at the 2025 “Cup of Nice” (Trophée Métropole Nice Côte d’Azur) and followed it with a fourth-place finish at the ISU Challenger Series Trialeti Trophy.
It also builds on their achievements last season, when they recorded strong results at both the European and World Championships and, crucially, secured a second Olympic quota place for Team GB in ice dance for Milano-Cortina 2026 – a major milestone for British ice dance.
Back-to-back senior Grand Prix assignments for Bekker & Hernandez: Finlandia Trophy next
Following their debut in Lake Placid, it has now been confirmed that Bekker & Hernandez have received a second senior Grand Prix assignment and will compete at the ISU Grand Prix Finlandia Trophy in Helsinki next weekend. Finlandia Trophy (21–23 November 2025) is the sixth and final event of the 2025–26 ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Series, meaning Bekker & Hernandez will close out the regular Grand Prix circuit with back-to-back appearances at the very top level.
Further details on schedule and how to watch will be shared on British Ice Skating channels soon.
Building momentum towards Sheffield and beyond
With a medal in Nice, a strong outing at Trialeti Trophy and now a composed senior Grand Prix debut, Bekker & Hernandez have laid down a powerful marker for the rest of the season. Their performances in Lake Placid showcased the qualities fans have come to expect – secure elements, growing speed and a clear artistic identity – as they build towards major targets later in the season.
Attention now turns to their next Grand Prix in Helsinki, and then to a pivotal spell on home ice with the 2026 British Figure Skating Championships and the ISU Figure Skating European Championships, both set to take place in Sheffield November and January respectively.
British Ice Skating will continue to share updates, results and behind-the-scenes content as Phebe and James continue their journey through the Grand Prix series and into a crucial Olympic season.