Ilia Malinin takes 2nd in Olympic figure skating team event behind Japan’s Yuma Kagiyama
The men’s short program delivered an early twist in the Olympic figure skating team event, as Ilia Malinin finished second behind Japan’s Yuma Kagiyama — a result that tightened the team gold race and shifted momentum back toward Japan. Team USA still holds on in the top position separated by only a single point from Team Japan.
Kagiyama led the field with a commanding 108.67, piling up 61.12 in technical elements and 47.55 in components to earn the full 10 team points for Japan. The two-time Olympic silver medalist skated with control and urgency, reminding everyone why he remains one of the sport’s most complete competitors and a cornerstone of Japan’s team hopes.
Malinin followed with 98.00 – nearly 12 points from his season’s best – collecting nine points for Team USA. The reigning world champion and season-long favorite entered Milan riding an undefeated streak and a reputation built on history-making jumps — including being the only skater ever to land a quadruple Axel in competition — but this time he left a few points on the table.
“It’s Olympic ice,” he said when asked if he felt pressure heading into the event. “I’m sure a lot of people would feel that. I’m not thinking about the score. I’m just thinking about the moment. And I just want to enjoy every single Olympic moment I have.”
Malinin went on to say he had planned to play this outing safe – a reference to the triple instead of record-breaking quadruple Axel he is known for – preserving himself for the events to come, and he remains undecided about whether he will skate in the team event final.
For the U.S., the result underscores just how thin the team event margins have become. Malinin has been the program’s anchor all season, delivering wins at Skate America, Grand Prix China and the Grand Prix Final, and arriving in Milan widely viewed as the safest bet for maximum points.
Still, his 2nd place finish keeps the Americans firmly in the hunt, even if it removes the margin for error they were hoping to build in the men’s segment.
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