Milano Cortina Day 3: Ice Dance brings the buzz as Bekker/Hernandez shine on debut, Fear/Gibson bring the NOISE - and Smeding delivers a lightning 1000m

It was a big day for British Ice Skating at the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games, with standout performances in the Ice Dance Rhythm Dance and a superb skate from Ellia Smeding in the Women’s 1000m long track speed skating - in a session where the Olympic record was broken twice.

Bekker and Hernandez make a statement on Milano Cortina debut

Phebe Bekker and James Hernandez delivered an assured, confident Olympic debut in the Ice Dance Rhythm Dance, posting a season’s best 72.46 to finish 16th overall and qualify comfortably for Wednesday’s Free Dance.

From the opening moments, they skated with real control — clean elements, strong connection, and a composure that looked right at home on the biggest stage. It’s a brilliant platform to build from as they return later this week with everything to play for in the Free Dance.

Fear and Gibson bring the NOISE

When Lilah Fear and Lewis Gibson step onto Olympic ice, the energy changes — and their Rhythm Dance delivered exactly that: pace, swagger, and full crowd-pleasing performance quality. Skating to a Spice Girls medley, the Team GB duo scored 85.47 to sit 4th heading into Wednesday’s Free Dance.

It was loud, fearless and unmistakably them - the kind of performance that lifts an arena and leaves you wanting the next chapter immediately. Now, all eyes turn to Wednesday as they look to carry that momentum into the Free Dance.

Smeding flies in the Women’s 1000m

Over in long track speed skating, Ellia Smeding produced a superb performance in the Women’s 1000m, finishing 11th in 1:15.834 - just 0.004 seconds away from a top-10 Olympic finish. Her time also stands as Team GB’s fastest ever women’s Olympic 1000m performance, underlining the pace and quality of her skate on the world stage.

It was a race defined by exceptional speed across the field, with the Olympic record broken twice as the event unfolded — a sign of just how fast the ice was throughout the session.

What’s next

The action keeps coming fast. Tomorrow, short track speed skating gets underway with the Men’s 1000m heats — and Niall Treacy is set to make his Milano Cortina Olympic debut for Team GB. Expect fireworks.

How to watch + keep up to date

You can follow the Olympic action in the UK via BBC Sport and discovery+ / TNT Sports, with full schedules, results and daily updates available in the British Ice Skating Olympic Hub.

Inspired to get on the ice?

Olympic moments can be your start line. Explore Inspire to Skate via the BIS Olympic Hub - and if you’re looking for your nearest place to skate, use the BIS Rink Finder to find a rink near you.