ISU Grand Prix Final 2025: Ilia Malinin to Attempt Quad Axels in Both Programs – and “Almost There” to Reveal World’s First Quintuple
In a remarkable display of ambition and skill, two-time world champion Ilia Malinin is set to celebrate his 21st birthday during the 2025 Grand Prix Final in Nagoya, Japan, with a bold plan to land two quad Axels and indulge in some gaming. Malinin, known for his technical prowess, aims to achieve a three-peat after securing victories in 2022 and 2023.
“It has probably been 10 years,” Malinin reflected, reminiscing about the last time he celebrated his birthday without skating. “Now it’s part of my life—it’s my passion, so there’s always going to be a birthday practice or birthday competition.” Having spent the last month refining his already elite programs following a world-record performance at Skate Canada International, the American skater is poised to leave an indelible mark at this year’s event.
The stakes are high as Malinin plans to integrate quad Axels into both the short and free programs. First performed in competition back in 2022, the quad Axel has since been a differentiator in his routines. Come the Grand Prix Final, the opening quad Axel-triple toe loop combination aims to wow the audience while technically navigating the judging system’s points criteria.
Beyond the double Axel attempts, Malinin demonstrates his evolving repertoire with an impressive upgrade: transitioning a triple loop to a quad and swapping a quad Lutz into the triple Lutz-Euler-triple flip combination. This revision brings his jump count in the free skate to a staggering seven quads.
Though he is at “85 per cent” of his capacity, he eyes the upcoming Milano Cortina 2026 Olympics with ambition, including the tantalizing possibility of attempting a quintuple jump, a feat never performed in competitive history. “I felt really good during practice when going for the ‘quinsal,’” Malinin said. “It didn’t work out, but I’m almost there.”
Should he triumph in Nagoya, this would mark three consecutive Grand Prix Final titles for the young phenom. Yet, Malinin attributes his growth to a newfound confidence. “All parts of my skating have improved, as well as my presence on the ice,” he said.
In a poignant reflection, Malinin revealed that his programs now resonate more deeply with his personal journey. “They speak to me as a skater and as a person,” he explained. The evolution of Malinin’s skating style enriches his performances—a maelstrom of emotion paired with technical brilliance set to unfold at the Grand Prix Final.
