Key Highlights
- LOUIS — The surest thing in the Winter Olympic world over the past several years has come to pass: Ilia Malinin, the son of Olympians, is now officially an Olympian himself. Spinning mid-ice as his music came to an end, his blond hair rippling, the 21-year-old Malinin nodded approvingly as he finished his long program, knowing he had accomplished what he came to the 2026 U. S.
- figure skating championships to do. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe “Quad God” toned it down considerably Saturday night, landing “just” three quadruple jumps compared with the seven he uncorked a month ago at the Grand Prix Final.
- He is having issues with the new skates he has been breaking in for the rest of the season, and since there was no challenger even close to him at these nationals, he didn’t have to push himself or press his luck. Watch our exclusive conversation with Ilia Malinin in the debut episode of our Milan Magic Olympics podcast.
- Subscribe and listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon“I decided to take it a little more safe,” he said afterward.
- “I was a little unsure what I was going to do so I decided not to go for any risks.
