In a remarkable display of athletic prowess, Ilia Malinin, the reigning world champion, clinched his fourth consecutive U.S. Figure Skating Championships title, solidifying his position as a leading contender for the upcoming Olympic Winter Games in Milano Cortina 2026. The event took place on January 10th in St. Louis, Missouri, and saw Malinin achieve a remarkable score of 324.88, defeating his nearest competitor by an astounding 57 points.
Malinin, 21 years old and often referred to as the “Quad God,” opted for a more conservative routine this time around. Despite typically attempting six or seven quadruple jumps, he landed only three during the competition. “Coming into this event, I was a little unsure of what to do, so I decided not to go for any risks,” he explained in an interview with NBC. With the Olympics less than a month away, Malinin believes he will ramp up his technical difficulty for the world stage.
The podium was rounded out by high-skating talents: Andrew Torgashev, who secured the silver medal with a score of 267.62, and Maxim Naumov, earning bronze with 249.16. Meanwhile, seasoned skater Jason Brown, a two-time Olympian, faced a disappointing eighth-place finish, raising questions about his Olympic aspirations.
As the U.S. team prepares to select its three representatives for Milano Cortina, Torgashev and Naumov made compelling arguments for their inclusion. The emotional grief Naumov has endured after losing his parents in a tragic crash adds a significant layer of narrative to his journey, with the athlete stating, “I gritted my teeth on everything, I fought for everything… every single thing.”
More updates are on the horizon as the final team for the Olympic Games will be announced on January 11th, and the stakes are higher than ever. With Malinin leading the charge, the excitement for figure skating at the Olympics is palpable.
