At the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan‑Cortina, American figure skater Ilia Malinin delivered a stunning men’s short program that combined athletic precision with expressive performance. Skating to the emotional strains of Chopin’s Nocturne No. 20, Malinin landed a series of high‑difficulty elements—starting with a beautiful quadruple jump and including multiple combinations—earning him a commanding 108.16 points and a lead over his rivals heading into the free skate. His execution reflects both technical mastery and growing competitive maturity on figure skating’s biggest stage.
A Technically Brilliant Opening
Chopin’s Nocturne and Explosive Jumps
Accompanied by the evocative piano of Chopin’s Nocturne No. 20, Malinin opened his performance with a crisp quadruple flip. The musical cues underscored his controlled strength and poise on the ice. He followed with a clean triple Axel and then delivered a powerful quad Lutz into a triple toe loop combination, showcasing his ability to blend technical difficulty with seamless transitions. These jumps form the backbone of his short program and contributed significantly to his high score.
Precision and Artistic Expression
Beyond his jumping passes, Malinin executed required elements like spins and step sequences with polished technique. His body control and timing gave each movement musical coherence, balancing the raw athleticism of quadruple rotations with the artistic nuance expected at Olympic competition. Judges rewarded both sides of his performance, investing the routine with a rare harmony of strength and expression.
Crowd‑Thrilling Elements and Extra Flair
(Image Credits:AP Photo)
Backflip and Signature Moves
In addition to his standard technical elements, Malinin thrilled the audience with a backflip—now legal under updated International Skating Union rules. Though it does not earn technical points, the move energized spectators and highlighted Malinin’s fearless performance style. He also showcased his trademark “raspberry twist,” adding unique personality and showmanship to his routine.
Setting Himself Apart From Competitors
Malinin’s score of 108.16 gave him a lead of more than five points over Japan’s Yuma Kagiyama, who scored 103.07, and France’s Adam Siao Him Fa, who earned 102.55. The gap is significant at this level of competition and gives Malinin a strategic advantage heading into the free skate, where tougher technical content and performance consistency will decide medal placements.
Context and Olympic Contributions
(Image Credits:AP Photo)
Rebound From Team Event Performance
Earlier in the Games, Malinin’s short program during the team event was less dominant, but he rebounded in the team free skate to help the U.S. capture gold. That experience appears to have sharpened his focus and competitive confidence. His individual short program showed marked improvement in execution and mental composure.
A Big Lead Before the Free Skate
Malinin’s performance places him in strong contention for Olympic gold as the men’s free skate approaches. With a technical repertoire that includes multiple quadruple jumps and the potential for even more difficult elements, he now carries the hopes of Team USA and figure skating fans worldwide as the competition moves toward its climax.
Comments:
Malinin’s performance at the 2026 Olympics underscores how figure skating has evolved into a sport where peak athleticism and artistic interpretation coexist. His ability to execute demanding quadruple jumps while conveying the emotion of Chopin’s Nocturne highlights both his technical prowess and his growing command of performance storytelling. Leading by a substantial margin after the short program, Malinin is positioned to deliver one of the most compelling free skate narratives in recent Olympic history.
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