Team GB opens Olympic Team Event with season’s best from Fear and Gibson

Team GB’s figure skating campaign at the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games is up and running, with British Ice Skating athletes competing across ice dance, pairs and women’s singles in the opening day of the Figure Skating Team Event, including an incredible season's best from Fear and Gibson.

The standout result came in the Rhythm Dance, where Lilah Fear and Lewis Gibson placed 3rd with a season’s best 86.85, delivering a major boost of confidence and momentum for the team.

After three segments, Team GB sits eighth overall on 11 points, with Edward Appleby still to skate in the Men’s Short Program to complete qualification.

Team GB performances so far

Ice Dance – Rhythm Dance | Lilah Fear & Lewis Gibson

Fear and Gibson brought the arena to life, skating to 3rd place with 86.85 and earning eight team points.

Lilah Fear said: “I’m so proud of us for doing exactly what we needed to do when the pressure was on… we just had fun. We skated how we wanted to and we’re in a good position, though we’d like to be higher… it just cements how we are feeling.”

On Mel B commenting on their Spice Girls routine, Fear added: “It’s great but we wanted the other four to comment, where’s Victoria? Get into the comments section girls… we’ll teach you all to skate whenever you want.”

Lewis Gibson said: “We went for it and attacked it… Their music inspired us to do it.”Reflecting on the moment, he added: “It’s our second Olympics so we’ve got more maturity than four years ago… we’ve got the balance right with the excitement.”

Pairs – Short Program | Anastasia Vaipan-Law & Luke Digby

In the Pairs Short Program, Vaipan-Law and Digby finished 9th with 57.29, adding two team points to the overall tally.

Anastasia Vaipan-Law said: “Stepping out on Olympic ice for the first time is a special feeling… but unfortunately it was a mixed performance. We will take this forward and work hard over the next week before our main event.”

Luke Digby added: “We’ve had a tricky time since the Europeans with injury… it’s been challenging and I’m just glad we were ready in time to compete. We will learn a lot from this experience.”

Women’s Singles – Short Program | Kristen Spours

Kristen Spours completed the opening day for Team GB in the Women’s Short Program, placing 10th with 48.28 and earning one team point.

Spours said: “I can finally call myself an Olympian… I never really believed I’d make it until I stepped out on the ice.”She added: “I feel like I can take a breath for the first time in a long time… the Olympics gave me the licence for one last try.”

What is the Olympic Figure Skating Team Event?

The Team Event is a nation-versus-nation competition that combines all four disciplines — men’s singles, women’s singles, pairs and ice dance — with countries earning points based on placement in each segment. After the four opening segments are complete, only the top five teams advance to the medal-deciding free skates/free dance.

What’s next for Team GB

Edward Appleby will compete in the Men’s Short Program on Saturday 7 February at 19:45 local time (18:45 UK) to complete the Team Event qualification stage.

Don’t miss a moment: British Ice Skating Olympic Hub

For the latest results, schedules, athlete updates and how-to-watch info, visit the British Ice Skating Olympic Hub — your one-stop shop for everything Milano Cortina 2026.

You can catch every moment of the Games in the UK via BBC Sport (including BBC iPlayer/Red Button) or discovery+ (with TNT Sports coverage).

Feeling inspired? Try skating with Inspire To Skate

Watching the Olympics and fancy giving skating a go? British Ice Skating is proud to be working with Planet Ice to bring Inspire to Skate to life, with Learn to Skate taster sessions available at Planet Ice rinks across the UK.

Not near a Planet Ice venue? Use the British Ice Skating Rink Finder to find your closest rink and start your own journey on the ice.