Malinin Shines in Team Event
US figure skater Ilia Malinin, nicknamed the “Quad God,” thrilled fans at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics with a stunning backflip during the figure skating team event. Despite a few mistakes, he scored over 200 points, the only skater to do so, helping the USA narrowly beat Japan and secure team gold.
At just 21, Malinin is already the biggest star in figure skating. Olympic gold medallist Robin Cousins praised his unique style, saying, “It’s messy, yes, but he has grown into this slightly quirky style, and I wouldn’t want it polished. Fans in Milan are witnessing a historic moment.”
Making History with Quad Axels and Backflips
Malinin hasn’t been defeated in competition for more than two and a half years. He is the only skater to land a quadruple axel successfully, a jump that requires spinning four and a half times in the air before landing backward.
Although he did not perform the quad axel in the team event, he executed triple axels perfectly, losing some points but still benefiting the team. He also became the first skater to land a legal backflip at the Olympics since 1976, touching down on one foot. The move had been banned for safety reasons but is now allowed, inspired by skaters like France’s Surya Bonaly.
Focus on Individual Event
Malinin initially planned to skate only the short program for the team event. However, with the USA’s title at risk, he performed the free program as well. “It was an honor to compete with my teammates. We all share this passion for figure skating,” he said.
He deliberately paced himself, saving his full capacity for the individual event. This strategy highlights his confidence heading into the free skate, where he has a clear edge over rivals.
Why Malinin is the Favorite for Gold
Japan’s Yuma Kagiyama has challenged Malinin before, including at the Grand Prix Final, where Malinin was third after the short program but won by 30 points after the free skate. His routines feature higher technical scores than any competitor, with ambitious moves that earn extra points from judges.
Malinin’s combination of skill, fearlessness, and creativity makes him the standout contender at Milan-Cortina 2026. Fans can expect even more record-breaking performances in the individual competitions.
