Lilah Fear and Lewis Gibson have clinched Great Britain’s first figure skating World Championship medal in over four decades, securing a bronze in the ice dance event in Boston.
This historic achievement marks the first time British athletes have reached the podium in any figure skating category since Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean’s last victory in 1984.
The duo, aged 25 and 30 respectively, amassed a total of 207.11 points, improving on their fourth-place finishes at the last two World Championships.
The American pair, Madison Chock and Evan Bates, retained their championship title, while Canadians Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier claimed the silver medal.
Reflecting on their success, Fear expressed her overwhelming emotions, saying, “I’m still shaking; I’m in disbelief.” Gibson mirrored her sentiments, describing the achievement as “a dream come true.”
Fear and Gibson, who are also three-time European medallists, had earlier this season made history by winning Britain’s inaugural medal at the Grand Prix final.
Their performance in Boston started strongly with a third-place position after Friday’s rhythm dance. Although their free dance routine, set to a medley of Beyoncé hits, ranked sixth on Saturday, their combined efforts yielded the highest accolade of their careers thus far.
Meanwhile, British skaters Phebe Bekker and James Hernandez finished in 17th place. Earlier this month, ice dancing legend Torvill lauded Fear and Gibson for elevating British ice dancing to new heights.
The World Championships also serve as a qualifier for the upcoming Winter Olympic Games in Milan-Cortina.
