The 2026 European Figure Skating Championships in Sheffield provided a dazzling spectacle of athleticism and artistry, with Britain's own Lilah Fear and Lewis Gibson capturing the public's imagination and a podium finish. The event, held in January 2026 and captured through the lens of photographer Tom Jenkins, showcased a host of Winter Olympic hopefuls across the four disciplines of men's, women's, pairs, and ice dance.
Disco Brits Dance to Bronze
All eyes were on the British ice dance duo, affectionately dubbed the 'Disco Brits' for their vibrant musical choices. Lilah Fear and Lewis Gibson delivered a series of captivating performances, aiming to end a long drought for British skating. They were in contention to become Britain's first European champions since the legendary Dame Jayne Torvill and Sir Christopher Dean triumphed back in 1994. While the top step of the podium proved elusive on this occasion, the pair skated brilliantly to secure a well-deserved bronze medal for the host nation.
A Gallery of Gliding Greats
The championships were a truly international affair, with stunning routines from across the continent. Italy's Charlène Guignard and Marco Fabbri displayed beautiful synchronicity in the ice dance, a discipline where skaters remain grounded with rare jumps. French favourites Laurence Fournier Beaudry and Guillaume Cizeron glided with their trademark elegance, while the Finnish pair of Yuka Orihara and Juho Pirinen finished a respectable 12th in the free dance.
Other notable performances included a poignant moment for Sheffield-born Olivia Smart, who now competes for Spain with partner Tim Dieck, skating on home ice. In the men's competition, Georgii Reshtenko of the Czech Republic landed third place with a powerful free skate, and Italy's Daniel Grassl was captured in a moment of intense concentration during a spin.
Exhibition Extravaganza and Future Hopes
The event concluded with a spectacular exhibition gala, where skaters unleashed their creativity. Fear and Gibson brought the house down with a playful routine performed in giant, oversized boots. British teammates Phebe Bekker and James Hernandez also sparkled, with Bekker executing a remarkable handstand on Hernandez's boot during their free dance earlier in the competition.
The championships in Sheffield served as a crucial benchmark for skaters with ambitions for the upcoming Winter Olympic Games. The strong showing from the Disco Brits and other British skaters like Bekker and Hernandez provides significant optimism for the future of British figure skating on the world stage.
