British ice dancing duo Phebe Bekker and James Hernandez are riding a wave of euphoria as they prepare for their maiden Olympic appearance, claiming the intense pressure of a home European Championships has mentally fortified them for the global stage.
A Dream Realised Amidst a Whirlwind
Fresh from a whirlwind weekend that saw them achieve their highest-ever finish at a European Championships, the pair found themselves in Sheffield for the quintessential Team GB experience: kitting out. With the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics just three weeks away, the skaters collected their brand-new gear, a tangible symbol of their impending debut.
"I don't have to go shopping for a whole year now," laughed 20-year-old Bekker, marvelling at the haul. She admitted to a new-found pickiness about fit, wanting to preserve the memorabilia forever. The occasion marks a pinnacle for the pair, now in their fifth season together, who have overcome significant doubt to reach this point.
The Unforgettable Roar of a Home Crowd
Their journey to the Olympics received a monumental boost just days prior at the Utilita Arena in Sheffield. Finishing 11th with a season's best score in their free dance to Romeo and Juliet, the experience of competing on home soil was transformative.
"We've seen what home crowds have been like... but that was on a different level," Bekker told The Independent. "The noise and the support... blew all expectations out of the water." Hernandez echoed the sentiment, calling it "probably my favourite skating experience in a competitive environment."
Contrary to buckling under extra pressure, the atmosphere liberated them. "It just spurred me on individually, and I think it spurred us on together," Hernandez stated. Bekker added, "The whole crowd was there with us... it was like no matter what we did, we were in it all together."
Europeans as the Ultimate Olympic Prep
In a surprising revelation, Bekker believes navigating the home continental championship was a bigger mental hurdle than the Olympics will be. "I think the Olympics will be easier than this Europeans mentally!" she said.
The duo acknowledge they left everything on the ice in Sheffield and must now recharge for Milano-Cortina. However, they view the experience as invaluable. "The experience that we gained from doing this Europeans just before the Olympic Games... is something that we can carry on for the rest of our careers," Bekker explained.
Reflecting on the path to wearing the Team GB kit, Hernandez expressed pride in the consistent choices that led them here, viewing challenges not as sacrifices but as deliberate steps toward sporting excellence. As they pack their new Olympic uniforms, Bekker and Hernandez head to Italy not just as debutants, but as athletes steeled by the unforgettable roar of a home crowd and ready for the world's biggest stage.
