British Ice Skating celebrates a historic ISU European Figure Skating Championships following outstanding performances by British athletes at the 2025 event in Tallinn, Estonia. With a strong showing across multiple disciplines, the British team is set to carry this momentum into the ISU European Figure Skating Championships Sheffield 2026, where the home crowd will have the chance to support their athletes just weeks before the Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games.
British Athletes Shine in Tallinn
Leading the charge, Lilah Fear and Lewis Gibson once again proved their dominance in Ice Dance, capturing the bronze medal—their third consecutive podium finish at the European Championships and continuing their appearance on the podium at every competition of the season so far, including two golds from their Grand Prix events. Their captivating performances and technical excellence solidified their status as one of Europe’s premier dance teams heading into the Olympic season.
Fear and Gibson shared their excitement about Sheffield 2026, stating: “We're so proud of the GB team here at Europeans, it's been so strong in so many categories and just really exciting to watch and support! We're so excited for Europeans in Sheffield, having the Grand Prix there a couple of years ago was such a special memory for us and we know our competitors really enjoyed that too. The crowd was so welcoming and enthusiastic, so we cannot wait and we hope it will also encourage a lot of the next generation to get involved in the sport when they can see it live.”
Joining them, Phebe Bekker and James Hernandez delivered a stellar performance in their European Championships building on their debut last year, achieving a strong 13th place finish. Their confident and mature skating showcased the strength of British Ice Dance and underscored the nation's depth in the discipline as they set their sights on further international success.
The British Pairs team of Anastasia Vaipan-Law and Luke Digby made a significant breakthrough, securing a top 5 finish—the highest placement for a British pairs team at the European Championships in over three decades. Their powerful and elegant performances signal a promising future for British pair skating as they set their sights on Sheffield 2026 and beyond. Their fantastic result also helped secure a second pairs spot for 2026.
In the Women’s Singles competition, Kristen Spours made her European debut, securing a phenomenal top 10 result, securing 9th place, making it the best result for a British Woman since 2009 and helping to secure a second British spot for the Women’s Singles event in Sheffield 2026. Similar to the pairs, the strong result from Spours secured a second spot for Team GBR in the Ladies event for 2026.
Meanwhile, in the Men’s Singles event, Edward Appleby delivered an admirable performance qualifying for the free skate for his first time at a senior ISU Championships, finishing in the top 20. The remarkable achievements of the British team continue to demonstrate the depth of talent in British skating and beyond.
Building Momentum for Sheffield 2026
The results from Tallinn underscore the rising strength of British skating as the UK prepares to host the ISU European Figure Skating Championships Sheffield 2026 from 13th-18th January 2026 at the Utilita Arena Sheffield. As one of the final international competitions before the 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Milan-Cortina, the event will serve as a critical test for Europe’s top athletes as they fine-tune their programs ahead of the world’s biggest stage.
Robin Cousins M.B.E., President of British Ice Skating and former Olympic and European Champion, remarked: “The performances we saw in Tallinn demonstrate just how far British skating has come. With Fear and Gibson continuing to shine and every other British athlete qualifying for the Free Skate, one of the first times this has happened - including our Pair team breaking into the top rankings, the excitement for Sheffield 2026 has never been higher. Hosting the European Championships on home ice will provide a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for fans to witness their heroes up close as they prepare for Milan-Cortina.”
Europeans 2026: A Landmark Event for British Skating
Sheffield 2026 promises to be an unforgettable experience, bringing together over 160 of Europe’s elite skaters to compete in front of passionate fans. With All-Event Tickets on sale right now, spectators will have the chance to secure their seats for this prestigious event.
Championship Ambassador and former European and World competitor Mark Hanretty added: “With the Olympic Games right around the corner, Sheffield 2026 will be a thrilling opportunity for athletes to showcase their best performances and for fans to witness world-class skating at its finest. This event will inspire future generations and leave a lasting legacy for British Ice Skating.”
With the British Team gaining momentum and home-ice advantage in Sheffield, the countdown to Europe’s biggest skating event has officially begun.
For more information and to purchase tickets, visit: www.europeans2026.com
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