Ilia Malinin showcased his superiority in figure skating ahead of the Winter Olympics, emphasizing that he still has significant room for improvement. The American world champion claimed victory at the season’s inaugural Grand Prix in Angers, France, with an exceptional 40-point lead over his competitors.
Known as the “Quad God,” Malinin executed five quadruple jumps during his free skate routine, with only a minor under-rotation as a notable flaw. Despite his impressive performance, he expressed a desire to enhance his skills further, stating, “I believe there’s much more room for improvement. This competition was enjoyable, and I am eagerly anticipating the upcoming season.”
Malinin’s remarkable win extended his unbeaten streak to nearly two years, a stark contrast from his defeat by Adam Siao Him Fa at the same event in November 2023. His total score of 321 points outshone Siao’s 280.95, securing him the second position. Although Siao showed resilience by climbing from fifth place after the short program, surpassing Malinin’s lead seemed unattainable.
Nika Egadze of Georgia claimed the third spot with a score of 259.41, followed by Lukas Britschgi of Switzerland in fourth place. Japanese skaters Kao Miura and Tatsuya Tsuboi faced setbacks, with Miura dropping to 10th place and Tsuboi to seventh after the free skate.
In another event, France’s Guillaume Cizeron, the Olympic ice dance champion, and his new partner Laurence Fournier Beaudry triumphed in their first Grand Prix competition together. They secured a total score of 211.02, surpassing overnight leaders Lilah Fear and Lewis Gibson of Britain, who settled for second place with 210.24 points. Canada’s Marie-Jade Lauriault and Romain Le Gac finished sixth overall with a score of 186.49.
The Grand Prix of France marks the beginning of the six regular season events leading up to the final competition in December, serving as a crucial test for skaters aiming for success at the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics in February. Live coverage of the Grand Prix season is available on CBCSports.ca and CBC Gem, offering viewers the opportunity to follow the athletes’ journey towards the prestigious event.
