Grand Prix de France 2025: Ilia Malinin blasts off into new season with short program lead in Angers
The excitement is palpable as reigning world champion Ilia Malinin opens the 2025-26 figure skating Grand Prix season on a high note. Competing in Angers, France, the USA figure skater solidified his dominance by taking the lead in the men’s short program, posting an impressive score of 105.22 points on Saturday, 18 October.
What’s most striking about Malinin’s performance is the absence of his typical array of quads; nevertheless, he still outclassed his nearest competitor by nearly ten points. Georgia’s Nika Egadze showed great potential, scoring 95.67 points, just shy of his personal best, and securing a strong second place heading into the free skate.
Meanwhile, Japan’s Miura Kao, riding on the success of the all-Japanese women’s singles podium, also lay claim to a podium position in the men’s event. He finished with a score of 87.25 points, solidifying his presence among the top competitors of this season.
As the season progresses, audiences worldwide are eager to see how the competition unfolds. Behind the top three, skaters like Japan’s Tsuboi Tatsuya and France’s Adam Siao Him Fa are also making a mark, with scores of 87.04 and 84.87 points respectively, indicating that the race for supremacy will be fierce.
This year’s Grand Prix de France promises to be every bit as thrilling as fans anticipated, showcasing the remarkable talents and hard work of these elite athletes on the ice. Make sure to follow the action, as many more stunning performances are yet to come!
Stay tuned for more updates and thrilling results from the Grand Prix de France as this season picks up momentum, propelling figure skating into the limelight once again.
