The Utilita Arena in Sheffield was transformed into a glittering stage of athleticism and artistry this week, hosting the prestigious European Figure Skating Championships for 2026. The event, a key showcase for Winter Olympic hopefuls, saw Britain's own Lilah Fear and Lewis Gibson capture the public's imagination and a podium finish, securing a bronze medal in the ice dance competition.
A Podium Finish for the Home Favourites
All eyes were on the British duo, affectionately dubbed the 'Disco Brits' for their vibrant musical routines. Fear and Gibson delivered a series of captivating performances, aiming to become Britain's first European champions since the legendary Dame Jayne Torvill and Sir Christopher Dean triumphed in 1994. While the top step of the podium eluded them, their bronze medal was a celebrated achievement, met with roaring applause from the home crowd.
The competition across the four categories – men’s, women’s, pairs, and ice dance – was fierce. In the ice dance, where skaters focus on intricate footwork and rhythm with rare jumps, Italy's Charlène Guignard and Marco Fabbri displayed powerful, flowing motion. France's Laurence Fournier Beaudry and Guillaume Cizeron also glided with characteristic grace, while the Finnish pair of Yuka Orihara and Juho Pirinen finished a respectable 12th in the free dance.
International Flair and Exhibition Spectacle
The championships featured a diverse array of talent. Georgii Reshtenko of the Czech Republic impressed to take third in the men's free skating, and Italy's Matteo Rizzo commanded the ice with his solo performance. Switzerland's Kimmy Repond finished seventh in the women's event, and the Georgian duo of Diana Davis and Gleb Smolkin placed sixth in their ice dance segment.
A poignant moment came with Sheffield-born Olivia Smart, who now competes for Spain alongside partner Tim Dieck, returning to skate on home ice. Their silhouettes against the rink light were a striking image captured by photographers.
Gala of Giants and Jokers
The event concluded with a spectacular and often whimsical exhibition gala, allowing skaters to express their personalities. True to form, Fear and Gibson brought their signature fun, performing in outlandish giant boots costumes that brought a smile to the arena. Their British teammates, Phebe Bekker and James Hernandez, sparkled in their routine, with Bekker even executing a daring handstand on Hernandez's boot.
The exhibition also saw Hungary's Danijil Leonyidovics Szemko embrace the character of the Joker alongside partner Mariia Ignateva, and the focused intensity of Italy's Daniel Grassl was clear in a contorted spin during his earlier men's free skate. France's Evgeniia Lopareva and Geoffrey Brissaud also competed strongly in the free dance, rounding out a tournament packed with future stars.
The 2026 European Championships in Sheffield proved to be a successful and visually stunning prelude to the upcoming Winter Olympic cycle, firmly putting British figure skating back in the spotlight.
