Ilia Malinin sets personal best to lead after short program at world championships

Ilia Malinin Sets the Pace at World Figure Skating Championships with Record-Breaking Short Program

Boston, MA – Ilia Malinin, the pre-event favorite, commenced his campaign to retain his world figure skating title in spectacular fashion at TD Garden on Thursday. The American skater delivered a mesmerizing short program, seemingly unfazed by the pressure, marking his presence at the World Figure Skating Championships with an exceptional performance.

Dominant Performance by the “Quad God”

The 20-year-old Malinin, often called the “Quad God,” executed a career-defining short program, amassing 110.41 points. This score propelled him to the top of the leaderboard, granting him a 3.32-point advantage over Japan’s Yuma Kagiyama as they progress to Saturday night’s free skate. This marks Malinin’s highest score in an international short program, surpassed only by legendary Olympic gold medalists Nathan Chen and Yuzuru Hanyu in the International Skating Union’s (ISU) historical records. His performance is a highlight of the figure skating season.

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Anticipation Builds for Free Skate Showdown

Kagiyama also delivered a near-personal best program, positioning himself for a compelling contest against Malinin. Mikhail Shaidorov of Kazakhstan (94.77), the Four Continents champion, currently holds third place, but trails Malinin by a significant margin of over 15 points. The men’s figure skating competition is shaping up to be an exciting battle.

Malinin’s Reaction to Stellar Short Program

“Words can’t express how I’m feeling right now,” Malinin stated. “I just remember stepping onto the ice. I felt an unusual level of nervousness, unsure of what would unfold. But as soon as the music began, I entered a state of flow, and everything progressed from there seamlessly.”

Technical Prowess on Display

Malinin’s routine, set to “Running” by NF, featured a flawless quadruple flip, a triple Axel, and a quad Lutz-triple toe loop combination. Notably, he typically reserves his signature quad Axel, a 4.5-revolution jump he first landed in competition at the 2022 US Classic, for the free skate. His current form is formidable, boasting an eight-event winning streak since 2023.

Crowd’s Enthusiastic Response

As Malinin concluded his step sequence, the audience in TD Garden erupted in applause, rising to their feet. “I heard the cheers, but I didn’t really register how people were reacting,” Malinin admitted. “I was overwhelmed with excitement. They were already standing and cheering so loudly even before I finished my program.”

Kagiyama Acknowledges Malinin’s Mastery

Kagiyama’s performance was also remarkable, marked by elegance and precision in his routine to Miloš Karadaglic’s “The Sound of Silence,” signaling a strong comeback after an injury-plagued season. Despite his own excellent skate, Kagiyama appeared to concede Malinin’s current dominance. He recalled his remarks from last year’s championships where he stated he might not be able to defeat Malinin even at his best.

Kagiyama’s Admiration and Resolve

“He executes these incredibly difficult jumps with such ease,” Kagiyama commented through a translator. “Perhaps he exerts effort, but to us, it appears effortless and simple. And it’s not just his jumps; his skating, artistry, and expression are constantly improving. I’m beginning to believe he might be unbeatable.”

Siao Him Fa Faces Uphill Battle

France’s Adam Siao Him Fa, last year’s world bronze medalist and reigning European champion, faces a challenge after a fall on his opening quad Lutz-triple toe combination, placing him ninth (87.22). Siao Him Fa, who last defeated Malinin internationally at the 2023 Grand Prix de France, has shown resilience after an earlier season injury. He has demonstrated the ability to recover from a lower short program placement, as evidenced by his podium finish last year after being 19th in the short program.

Anticipated Free Skate and Historic Backflip

The men’s free skate on Saturday promises high stakes, with medals and history on the line. Malinin is expected to attempt a demanding seven-quad layout, including the quad Axel, and potentially incorporate his signature backflip – now a legal element at the world championships for the first time in decades. This figure skating competition is reaching a thrilling peak.

Backflip’s Return to Competition

A legally executed backflip has not been seen at the world championships for almost 50 years, since Terry Kubicka in 1976, after which the ISU banned it due to safety concerns. The ban was lifted last June, with the ISU acknowledging the spectacle and reduced risk associated with “somersault-type jumps.”

Bonaly’s Defiant Legacy

Surya Bonaly famously defied the ban at the 1998 Nagano Olympics, performing a one-footed backflip in protest. Although penalized, it became an iconic symbol of defiance and individuality within the sport.

Malinin’s Backflip as Signature Flair

Malinin debuted his backflip in competition at the Lombardia Trophy in September and has consistently used it as a crowd-pleasing highlight. “It complements the music perfectly,” he explained. “It generates audience enthusiasm and adds suspense. I genuinely enjoy performing it.”

Beyond Points: Artistic Impression

While the backflip does not contribute to the score, it amplifies his performance scores, showcasing his creative expression – a quality that distinguishes him in the field.

Malinin’s Rising Star and Popularity

This blend of technical innovation, competitive composure, and artistic boldness has propelled Malinin to stardom. The substantial crowd at Thursday afternoon’s session at TD Garden, unusual for a weekday session, signals Malinin’s growing appeal within and beyond the figure skating world.

Americans Torgashev and Brown Deliver Solid Performances

Fellow Americans Andrew Torgashev and Jason Brown also delivered impressive short programs, finishing eighth (87.27) and 12th (84.72) respectively, achieving their season’s best international scores. However, Thursday undeniably belonged to Malinin, who skated flawlessly and fearlessly, rising to the occasion on a significant stage.

Pairs’ Free Skate to Award First Medals

The first medals of the championships will be awarded later Thursday with the pairs’ free skate, where Japan’s Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara lead over Italy’s Sara Conti and Niccolo Macii following Wednesday’s short program.