‘We’re going for 2030’
by John Cushing, September 2026
“We're going for 2030 - it’s highlighted” in the diary “Absolutely”.
The words we all wanted to hear from two time Team GB skaters, world medalists and eight time British champions Lewis Gibson and Lilah Fear when we caught up with them at the recent Bolero Cup - the first international Ice Dance competition of the new skating season in Sheffield.
The pair while winning the competition revealed their new programme for the first time for the Rhythm and Free Dances. “We really use it as a feedback competition, because we go out there and we put all the work in, but we have to collect information of, okay, what's working, what isn't, and then go back to the drawing board and apply it all” Lilah tells us.
The new Rhythm Dance includes one of Lewis’ dads favourites by the Gypsy King's ‘Bambolea’ “we wanted to try to push a kind of different idea around the Waltz, and that's where we came up with the Gypsy Kings and finding a sort of flamenco Waltz rhythm music, and build the program from there.” Lilah adding “It was a way for us to feel unique as well, using the waltz, but having this really dramatic, powerful, gritty waltz track with more of a paso infusion.”
The new free dance includes a mix of ‘Diamonds are Forever’ and ‘Diamonds are a girls best friend’ with Lewis revealing the Jazz style is very much the intention “That style has been something that we've both been drawn to for years and could never really find something that felt fresh enough.”
With new costumes and overall vision reflecting the two different dances Lilah says “We've poured so much into them and we really believe in the product”. To be able to show the versatility of what we can do on the ice but also through the looks and the aesthetic has been really, really fun.”
With a technical mistake at the Milan Olympics and a so called illegal lift in the World Championships, 2026 hasn’t quite gone to plan for the pair - but they told us they’re now stronger than ever. “It was definitely rough many times, ups and downs, but the transformation that resulted from that is something that I've never experienced in my life” Lilah told us but “being able to have the mindset to draw out the lessons and what can be empowering about huge disappointments really can shape someone as a human, as an athlete and also just the strength of our bond. I think we're more inspired by our dreams and vision than we are discouraged by short-term disappointments.” Lewis said stopping their partnership never crossed his mind “we don't stop dreaming because we still believe it can be possible.”
“We're going for 2030. Highlighted. Absolutely.”
The show goes on for Lilah and Lewis and we can’t wait! LISTEN IN FULL:
