Fear & Gibson GOLDEN at Nebelhorn as Team GBR Battles Hard Across Challenger Series

The 2025–26 season has only just begun, but Team GBR are already making their mark on the international stage. This past weekend saw British skaters competing at two ISU Challenger Series events - the Nebelhorn Trophy in Oberstdorf, Germany, and the Ondrej Nepela Memorial in Bratislava, Slovakia.

With multiple entries across disciplines, the headline belonged to Lilah Fear and Lewis Gibson, who once again proved why they are among the world’s most exciting ice dance teams. Their gold medal win at Nebelhorn continues a streak of podium finishes stretching back more than a season and strengthens their growing case as medal contenders at the biggest events in the sport.

Fear & Gibson: A Streak of Brilliance Continues

When Fear & Gibson step onto the ice, there’s an expectation of something special - and in Oberstdorf, they delivered once again. Scoring 201.51 points overall, the duo claimed gold in the Ice Dance competition, building on a 78.87 rhythm dance with a compelling Scottish free dance that sealed the top spot.

This victory is not just about numbers; it’s about consistency and artistry. Fear & Gibson have not missed a podium since before the start of last season, a run that underlines their ability to perform under pressure and maintain excellence across different competitions and judging panels. Their programs this year continue their trademark mix of bold musical choices, inventive choreography, and crowd-pleasing performance quality. Every outing sharpens the edges of programs designed not only to entertain but to score highly in the technical panels - a crucial balance as the countdown to the 2026 Winter Olympics accelerates!

For British Ice Dance, Fear & Gibson’s sustained success is more than medals; it’s a statement of intent. With the Sheffield 2026 Europeans just months away and the Olympic cycle ramping up, their momentum could not be better timed.

Nina Povey Takes on Nepela

Over in Bratislava, Nina Povey represented Team GBR in the Women’s Singles at the Ondrej Nepela Memorial. Against a deep international field, she finished 19th overall, scoring 130.93 points (48.48 in the Short Program and 82.45 in the Free Skate).

Nina’s performances demonstrated resilience and refinement, adding another valuable Challenger Series outing to her growing international résumé. Early-season competitions like Nepela provide crucial feedback and set benchmarks that can fuel improvement as the season progresses.

Vaipan-Law & Digby Push Forward in Pairs

Back in Oberstdorf, Anastasia Vaipan-Law and Luke Digby took to the ice in the Pairs competition, finishing 11th overall with a combined score of 165.02 (60.05 SP / 104.97 FS).

The duo continue to push British Pairs skating forward after their historic result at last season’s Europeans, where they achieved the highest placement by a GB team in over 30 years. Their showing at Nebelhorn reflects both the promise and the challenge of climbing within a highly competitive discipline, with consistency and execution the key focus as they eye further progress this season.

The Fitterer Brothers Gain Experience in Men’s

The men’s event at Nebelhorn was stacked with international talent, and both Ken and Lucas Fitterer embraced the challenge.

• Lucas Fitterer finished 17th overall with a score of 153.24.

• Ken Fitterer placed 19th, earning 137.10.

  
  

Both Ken and Lucas’ participation at this level provides critical competitive mileage. Every skate offers lessons in composure, technique, and program delivery under pressure - experience that will serve them as the season unfolds.

Looking Ahead

From the gold medal triumph of Fear & Gibson to the grit shown by Nina Povey, Vaipan-Law & Digby, and the Fitterer brothers, British skaters are making their presence felt early in the season. As the season builds toward European Championships in Sheffield and the Olympic Games rapidly approaching, every skate matters. Team GBR leaves Oberstdorf and Bratislava not just with scores, but with stories of resilience, momentum, and ambition.

📲 Follow British Ice Skating for updates throughout the Challenger Series and beyond, as our athletes continue their march toward Sheffield and Milano-Cortina.