Ilia Malinin seems to skate his best under pressure. That explains why he has not lost a skating competition in two years and admitted that he skated one of the best long programs of his career earlier this month at the Grand Prix in Japan to come from behind after finishing third in the technical program..
In that five minute long program, he landed an astonishing seven quadruple jumps. Tara Lipinski calls him a “once in a generation” skater who continues to rewrite the history books.
Get to know the 21-year-old native Virginian who will soon be under the worldwide microscope at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
1. Ilian Malinin Seeks To Join Elite Company
Malinin is the favorite for Olympic gold, and should he accomplish it, he would join elite company. Seven American male figure skaters have been crowned Olympic champions since 1908. Two won in the 2000s: Evan Lysacek in 2010 and Nathan Chen in 2022.
The US men have not put back-to-back skaters on the Olympic gold medal podium since Scott Hamilton and Brian Boitano did it in 1984 and 1988.
2. He Has Won Everything But Olympic Gold
Malinin is a two time World Champion (2024 and 2025), and a three-time US Champion (2023-2025).
He will go for four in a row at the US Figure Skating Championships beginning January 4, 2026 in St. Louis, Missouri.
One month later, he will be in Milano-Cortina as the Olympic men’s figure skating competition opens on February 7.
The busy winter concludes with the March 24 World Championships in Prague where he goes for a three-peat and chases Scott Hamilton’s record of four consecutive from 1980-1984.
3. Skating Is A Family Affair
Malinin’s quick rise is attributed to hard work and good genes. His parents and grandfather were all figure skaters. Despite balancing skating and soccer when he began as a six year old, he quickly honed in on skating as his passion.
Ilia’s father and coach, Roman Skornyakov after Ilia’s 4T+3T during his historic record-breaking free skate at the 2025–26 Grand Prix Final!
🎬 TV Asahi pic.twitter.com/gv3UaiK551
— Ilia Malinin Daily (@TheIliaSociety) December 12, 2025
He is coached by his parents Tatiana Malinina and Roman Skorniakov.
