Ilia Malinin’s Shocking Night; Mikaela Shiffrin Seeks Redemption
The Milan Cortina Olympics has seen unexpected events, particularly in figure skating and skiing. American figure skater Ilia Malinin faced a shocking defeat in the free skate competition, a far cry from expectations. Meanwhile, Mikaela Shiffrin gears up for another chance at Olympic glory in the giant slalom.
Ilia Malinin’s Disastrous Free Skate
Ilia Malinin, 21, entered the competition as a gold-medal favorite with overwhelming odds of -10,000. His recent performance had been stellar, boasting a 16-for-16 record over two years, including wins at the Grand Prix Final and world championships. However, during his free skate on Friday night, Malinin fell drastically short, scoring just 156.33 points, nearly 30 points below his previous worst score.
- Odds before the event: -10,000
- Winning streak: 16 consecutive competitions
- Lowest score in two years: 156.33 points
Seven other skaters outperformed him, marking a stunning incident in Olympic history. Malinin attributed his struggles to the pressure of the Olympic experience. He remarked that had he been on the Olympic team in 2022, his performance would have been significantly better.
Mikaela Shiffrin’s Olympic Redemption
Amidst the turmoil for U.S. athletes, Mikaela Shiffrin prepares for her giant slalom event. Shiffrin, renowned as the greatest slalom skier ever, is looking to overcome past Olympic setbacks. In her last event, she could not secure a podium finish during the combined competition.
- Next event: Sunday’s giant slalom
- Previous injuries: Severe crash in November 2024
- Last major achievement: Podium finish in the last World Cup giant slalom
Despite her impressive track record, Shiffrin has not won an Olympic medal since her triumph in 2018. She faces the giant slalom in two runs, the first at 4 a.m. ET and the second at 7:30 a.m. This event may prove pivotal for her Olympic narrative.
Other Highlights from the Olympiad
While U.S. athletes encounter challenges, Canadian women’s hockey is advancing, and speedskater Jordan Stolz claimed gold in a record-setting 500-meter race. Additionally, Brazilian skier Lucas Pinheiro Braathen made history by winning a giant slalom medal.
- Jordan Stolz: Second gold medal in 500m
- Brazil’s historic Winter Olympic medal: Lucas Pinheiro Braathen
The upcoming days promise more excitement as athletes aim for gold across various disciplines. Stay tuned to Filmogaz.com for continuous coverage and updates.
