Ilia Malinin's Quadruple Axel Dominance Redefines Figure Skating at 2026 Olympics
Figure skating thrives on tension, with athletes gliding across slick ice on thin blades, defying physics through jumps and twists where millimeters separate triumph from disaster. Yet, American Ilia Malinin, the 21-year-old dubbed the "quad god," often defies this suspense. His unparalleled skill makes him a staggering constant in the sport, landing the most difficult jumps and breaking scoring records with ease.
At the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics, Malinin is the heavy favorite for gold, thanks to his astonishing jumping ability and the vaunted quadruple axel. In the recent team event, he placed second in the short program and clinched gold for the US by winning the free skate with 200.03 points. His individual competition begins on February 10, where he aims to make history.
Why the Quadruple Axel Makes Malinin Unbeatable
The quadruple axel is figure skating's holy grail, a jump with four-and-a-half revolutions that had eluded skaters for decades. First attempted by Japan's Yuzuru Hanyu in 2022 without success, Malinin landed it in 2022 at Skate America, becoming the first in history to do so in competition. This feat has cemented his dominance, as he has lost only one major competition since then.
Experts attribute his success to masterful technique, maximizing height and rotation. Scientists note he jumps higher vertically than peers on triple axels, though some aspects remain unexplained "Malinin magic." Jackie Wong, a skating analyst, emphasizes that this jump gives Malinin a massive scoring advantage, allowing him to win by wide margins over the world's best.
Malinin's Impact on US Figure Skating and Future Generations
If Malinin wins gold, it will mark the first US consecutive Olympic victory in men's figure skating since 1988, following Nathan Chen's 2022 win. His rise symbolizes a paradigm shift, with US Figure Skating focusing on early talent identification. Justin Dillon, the federation's chief of high performance, notes that Malinin's success inspires young skaters, broadening the talent pool.
Dillon explains that spotting potential quad jumpers as early as age eight or nine is key, emphasizing rotation speed over jump height. This strategy marks a departure from past eras, as coaching techniques evolve to prioritize quads, which dictate scores and medals. Wong adds that today's juniors aren't inherently more talented but are prepared earlier for these jumps.
The Artistry and Future Potential of Ilia Malinin
Beyond athleticism, Malinin shows promise in artistry, inspired by Yuzuru Hanyu's blend of beauty and skill. Sandra Bezic, a champion skater and choreographer, praises his charisma and dedication to music and choreography. At 21, Malinin has room to grow, with life experiences potentially enhancing his artistic expression.
His ability to consistently land up to seven quadruple jumps in a program has turned competitions into blowouts, as seen at the 2025 World Championships where he outscored the silver medalist by over 31 points. The prospect of his continued improvement injects new tension into a sport he has dominated, suggesting even greater achievements ahead.
