Ilia Malinin: A Rising Star in Figure Skating
ST. LOUIS (AP) — A monumental figure in the world of figure skating, 20-year-old Ilia Malinin has positioned himself as potentially the greatest skater across generations. His ability to execute jumps that are deemed impossible for others, combined with an exceptional level of artistry and creativity, sets him apart in the competitive arena. The true challenge that lies ahead for Malinin is to demonstrate these extraordinary abilities on the Olympic stage.
Overcoming Setbacks
Having spent the past four years eagerly awaiting the opportunity to compete at the Milan Cortina Winter Games, Malinin was notably omitted from the U.S. team for the Beijing Olympics, primarily attributed to being too young and inexperienced, despite his exceptional skills. This setback only fueled his ambition, leading to a remarkable ascent in the sport. Malinin has clinched the title at the past two world championships, with his most recent victory occurring last year in Boston, and he has not faced defeat in any competition for almost two years, spanning everything from preliminary events to national championships, where he secured his fourth consecutive title earlier this month in St. Louis.
Impressive Achievements
His impressive scores put him in the same context as the sport’s icons, notably Nathan Chen, his fellow American skater.
“Ilia represents an entirely unique element,” remarked his teammate Amber Glenn. “With both parents being accomplished skaters, he is literally built differently. His combination of natural talent and relentless dedication is astounding.”
A Rich Skating Heritage
Malinin is rooted in a rich skating heritage: his mother, Tatiana Malinina, represented Uzbekistan at the 1998 Olympics and captured the Grand Prix Final in 1999, while his father, Roman Skorniakov, competed in both the 1998 and 2002 Winter Olympics for Uzbekistan. His lineage further traces back to his grandfather Valery Malinin, who skated for the Soviet Union and continues to coach in Russia. It’s little wonder that Malinin gravitated towards this athletic pursuit, despite initially preferring soccer during his childhood.
Eventually, after mastering the impressive jumps that have become his calling card, he fully committed to skating under the guidance of his parents, leading him to the junior world title in 2022 after his Olympic exclusion. With renowned coach Rafael Arutyunyan joining forces, Malinin’s victories subsequently multiplied.
Preparing for the Olympics
“Ilia is constantly pushing his limits,” explained Arutyunyan, who previously trained Chen. “Our greatest challenge is ensuring that his entire support team is aligned as we guide him. We’re committed to being there for him during this critical time.”
As the Milan Cortina Games approach, the stakes are rising for Malinin, both in terms of performance expectations and corporate sponsorship obligations. His face has become a staple among promotional materials leading up to the Olympics, resulting in heightened public attention from fans seeking photographs and autographs.
Malinin has stated,
“My team and I have developed a strategic plan to ensure I am mentally and physically prepared to perform at my peak during the Olympics. We have discussed our training approach in detail, focusing on preparations for all competitions leading up to this event.”
Current Season Highlights
To kick off his current season, Malinin triumphed at the Lombardia Trophy and had dominant showings at the Grand Prix de France and Skate Canada, where he posted a score of 333.81—an astounding margin of nearly 80 points over second-place finisher Aleksandr Selevko of Estonia. This personal best score was within reach of the world record of 335.30, set by Chen in 2019. In December, he secured another Grand Prix Final title, alongside another national championship win in January, which he claimed comfortably despite experimenting with a new pair of skates during his free skate.
“His passion for skating is palpable,” noted choreographer Shae-Lynn Bourne. “He is dedicated, often putting in extra practice before and after scheduled sessions. He is not content to simply rely on his current abilities; instead, he perpetually seeks out challenges.”
Aiming for the Quad Axel
This desire for improvement pushes Malinin to attempt the notoriously difficult quad axel, a jump consisting of four and a half rotations that remains unachieved by any other competitor. It is also what inspires his signature moves such as the “raspberry twist,” as well as a host of spins and jumps that appear to defy the laws of physics.
“It has been incredible to watch his growth, not only in terms of his performance under pressure but also in his personal maturity,” said Jason Brown, a two-time Olympian. “We are all wholeheartedly supporting him.”
___AP Winter Olympics:
