Team GB Struggles in Team Event Despite Fear and Gibson’s Best at 2026 Winter Olympics
Lilah Fear and Lewis Gibson delivered an impressive performance at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina. The duo recorded a season-best score in the ice dance segment. However, Team GB faced challenges overall in the team event.
Team Event Overview
Ten teams, including Great Britain, are competing in this event. It is the first time Britain has participated since 2014. Points are awarded across four disciplines: men’s, women’s, pairs, and ice dance.
- First place receives 10 points
- Second place gets 9 points
- Third place earns 8 points
- This continues down to one point for the last-place finisher
The qualification round consists of a short program and a rhythm dance. The top five teams will advance to the finals. Currently, Team GB sits in eighth place with only 11 points. To remain in contention for a medal, they need a score of nine or more from men’s skater Edward Appleby on Saturday afternoon.
Fear and Gibson Shine
In their rhythm dance routine, Fear and Gibson captivated the audience with a performance set to a mix of Spice Girls hits. Fear, who will carry the British flag at the opening ceremony, wore a sparkling dress inspired by Ginger Spice. Their routine earned them 86.85 points, marking their best score of the 2025-26 season.
This score placed Team GB third after the initial ice dance round, boosting hopes of a medal. However, the subsequent events brought disappointment for the team.
Challenges in Pairs and Women’s Singles
Anastasia Vaipan-Law and Luke Digby, competing in the pairs, had a promising start but faced a setback. Vaipan-Law fell during the throw triple salchow, resulting in no points for the element and a one-point deduction overall. This was their Olympic debut, despite previous top-ten finishes at the European Championships.
Kristen Spours, the British champion competing in the women’s singles, also faced difficulties. After undergoing disc herniation surgery and taking time off for her health, Spours missed a critical double axel in her routine. This element was marked invalid, complicating Team GB’s standing.
Competition Landscape
As the team event unfolds, the gold medal battle appears to be closely contested between the United States and Japan. After day one, the U.S. leads Japan by two points, setting the stage for an intense competition.
With crucial performances ahead, Team GB’s aspirations for a medal will heavily depend on the next phases of the event.
