Malinin’s Quad Skills Secure Top U.S. Spot in Men’s Short Program

Ilia Malinin, an American figure skater, has secured the top position in the men’s short program at the Winter Olympics. Known as the “Quad God,” the 21-year-old from Vienna, Virginia, achieved a score of 108.16. He performed to the piece “Dies Irae” from the video game The Lost Crown, executing impressive jumps including a quadruple flip and a quadruple lutz. This strong performance puts him in a favorable position heading into the free program.

Men’s Short Program Standings

The standings following the short program highlight the competitive nature of the event:

• 1st Place: Ilia Malinin (USA) – 108.16 points
• 2nd Place: Yuma Kagiyama (Japan) – 103.07 points
• 3rd Place: Adam Siao Him Fa (France) – 102.55 points

Malinin leads the pack by over five points, showcasing his exceptional skills in quad jumps. This is his first Olympic appearance, having already contributed to a gold medal in the team event earlier in the week.

Malinin’s Journey to the Top

Malinin expressed feeling “too excited” going into the team event but managed to adjust his approach for the individual short program. He aimed for a calmer mindset and trusted his training, which paid off significantly. Notably, Malinin made history last year as the first skater to successfully perform a quadruple axel in competition.

World Record Holder

Ilia Malinin holds the record for the highest free program score, achieved in December at the International Skating Union Grand Prix Finals, where he scored 238.24 points. He is coached by his parents, former Olympic skaters Tatyana Malinina and Roman Skornyakov.

Other Competitors’ Performances

The competition featured other notable figures, including:

• Maxim Naumov (USA): Scored a personal season-best of 85.65 points, placing 14th.
• Stephen Gogolev (Canada): Scored 87.41 points, finishing in 10th place.
• Tomas Guarino Sabate (Spain): Scored 69.80 points and performed a lively routine to a medley from Despicable Me.

Naumov, competing in his first Olympics, held a photo of his late parents during his performance for motivation. Gogolev overcame a minor mishap with his skates and qualified for the free program in 10th place.

Looking Ahead

As the competitors advance to the free program set for Friday, all eyes will be on Malinin as he seeks further Olympic glory. His ability to perform under pressure will be crucial as he navigates this pivotal moment in his career.