Figure skating-Malinin leads Skate America short program in season debut

Three-time world champion Ilia Malinin delivered a strong short program at Skate America, securing a commanding 96.74-point start. The 21-year-old Russian native, who was a heavy favorite for gold at the upcoming Milan Games, began his quest for Olympic redemption with a memorable performance at Angel of the Wings Arena in Everett, Washington.

Malinin's short program, choreographed to "Cantata Memoria: For the Children" by Sir Karl Jenkins, paid tribute to fellow skaters who perished in a tragic accident in January 2025. Despite a slight mistake during his quad lutz-double toe loop, Malinin's crowd-pleasing performance and energy from the audience helped him narrowly edge out Japan's Sota Yamamoto and Mexico's Donovan Carrillo.

The upcoming pairs short program features American duo Alisa Efimova and Misha Mitrofanov, who are competing in their first Grand Prix event since the tragedy.