21-year-old native Virginian Ilia Malinin is the frontrunner to win Olympic gold at the 2026 Milano Cortina Olympics. Malinin has changed the sport into one where skaters occasionally land a quadruple jump to a sport where he successfully lands 7 quads in a program.
Malinin arrived in Milano Cortina and is preparing for the team and individual events beginning on February 7.
Though many believe if Malinin is able to do what he has done for the past few years in the sport, he will be the uncontested gold medalist, he received a good luck charm from a surprising source before heading to the Olympics.
That good luck charm is a set of laces for his skates, and it comes from NHL and Washington Capitals legend Alexander Ovechkin. Ovechkin is a Russian native so many wondered what the connection is between him and Malinin. One possible explanation is that Malinin’s grandfather Valery Malinin is a former Russian skater and current coach.
Malinin plans to use the laces.
Ilia Malinin is entering Milan in legendary laces. ⛸️ pic.twitter.com/jplGteaVnC
— NBC Sports (@NBCSports) February 2, 2026
Ilia Malinin’s Projected Skating Schedule
Fans will not have to wait long to see Malinin in action as the team skating event is one of the first of the Olympics.
The men’s team short program is on February 7 with the free skate occurring on February 8.
The short program in the individual event kicks off on February 10, and the free skate happens on February 13.
Malinin is seeking to become the eighth American man to win Olympic gold since 1908. Should he win and follow Nathan Chen’s 2022 gold medal finish, Team USA would win gold in men’s figure skating in consecutive Olympics. it would be the first time in forty years that Team USA had back-to-back Olympic gold medalists (1980 Scott Hamilton and 1984 Brian Boitano).
Watch the 2026 Milano Cortina Olympics on NBC and Peacock. The Opening Ceremonies begin on Friday February 6, 2026.
