Ilia Malinin’s journey to the 2030 Olympics has begun, and it’s started in a familiar position: atop the podium.
The American figure skating star claimed gold at Saturday’s ISU Figure Skating Grand Prix event in Everett, Washington, winning the 2026 Skate America title.
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Malinin edged out Italian Olympic team bronze medalist Daniel Grassl in second and Tamir Kuperman (Israel) in third to win his fourth Skate American GP title.
This week’s competition marked Malinin’s first international appearance since winning gold at the 2026 World Championships in Prague, his third World title.
The 21-year-old endured a competitive whirlwind in 2026, helping Team USA to team gold at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics but falling to a shocking eighth place in the men’s singles competition.
Though just months removed from World gold and Olympic heartbreak, this week’s Skate America competition marks a new season and new era for the Virginia native. His new era began with a win.
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Malinin entered Saturday’s Men’s Free Skate with a five-point lead after Friday’s Short Program, but took the ice after a formidable challenge from Italian skater Daniel Grassl. Grassl posted a strong 188.25 in the Free Skate, requiring a score of 178 or higher from Malinin to clinch the title.
EVERETT, WASHINGTON – NOVEMBER 14: Ilia Malinin of the United States reacts after competing in the Men’s Free Skate Program during the ISU Figure Skating Grand Prix USA 2026 on November 14, 2026 in Everett, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers – International Skating Union/International Skating Union via Getty Images)
Skating to a new program to Blue Eye Samurai medley, the “Quad God” showcased a downgraded slate of jumps – some shaky – to eclipse Grassl.
While the judges awarded Malinin a Free Skate score just 0.68 short of the Italians, it was enough for the American to clinch the top spot.
Malinin posted a total combined score of 284.31, winning the event comfortably by nearly ten points. Winning scores aside, Malinin felt he was able to skate “for himself.”
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It was a “completely different feeling,” he told NBC after the event, reflecting that he took a moment to smile at his father – and coach – from the ice. “Definitely the most fun I’ve ever had,” he concluded.
With his fourth Skate America win, Malinin becomes the second winningest male skater in the event’s history and places himself in prime position to win his fourth-consecutive Grand Prix Final.
Next up, Malinin is slated to skate in the NHK Trophy event later this month, the second of two Grand Prix events. From NHK Trophy, Malinin looks to qualify to the Grand Prix Final, scheduled for Dec. 10-13 in Chongqing, China.
This article was originally published on Forbes.com