Malinin’s Quad Axel Redefines Men’s Technical Ceiling At 17, Ilia Malinin landed the sport’s first quadruple‑axel in competition, rotating four‑and‑a‑half times on a single blade, a feat he repeated at the Grand Prix Final where he executed seven quads and earned a record 238.24 points [1][2]. The jump, dubbed the “quad god” move, has become the centerpiece of his free‑skate program and is credited with reshaping technical expectations for male skaters [1][2]. His ability to combine the quad axel with creative elements such as the raspberry twist further distinguishes his artistry from his peers [2].

Two‑Year Winning Streak Secures Malinin as Olympic Favorite Malinin captured back‑to‑back world titles, including the most recent in Boston, and has not lost a competition in roughly two years across Grand Prix events and U.S. championships [2]. He swept the Lombardia Trophy, the French and Canadian Grand Prix stops, posting a 333.81 at Skate Canada that approached Nathan Chen’s all‑time record [2]. A fourth straight U.S. national crown, earned despite a brief free‑skate wobble while adjusting to new skates, solidified his status as the leading American man heading into Milan‑Cortina [2][1].

Team USA Assembles Deepest Roster Since Early 2000s The official Olympic roster lists 16 athletes across all disciplines, a lineup Brian Boitano called the strongest in U.S. history [1]. Veteran ice‑dance pair Madison Chock and Evan Bates anchor the dance contingent, while Alysa Liu returned from a brief retirement to lead the women’s side, adding a world title and Grand Prix Final gold to the team’s depth [1][3][4]. Additional depth comes from Amber Glenn, Isabeau Levito, and a strong men’s group built around Malinin’s technical breakthroughs [1].

Veteran Voices Praise New Generation’s Momentum Olympic champion Kristi Yamaguchi highlighted Malinin’s quad axel as “era‑defining” and praised Liu’s comeback as a joyful surprise, linking their achievements to a broader narrative of perseverance [3][4]. Yamaguchi’s reflections on her own 1992 gold emphasize the mental pressure of Olympic competition and underscore the importance of preparation for today’s skaters [3][4]. Broadcasts revisiting her 1992 performance aim to inspire the next generation, reinforcing the cultural continuity between past and present U.S. figure‑skating icons [3][4].