ISU World Champion Ilia Malinin (USA) dominated in the Men’s Short Program at Skate Canada International in Saskatoon (CAN) on Saturday. With the scoring being close between the skaters ranked second through seventh, the Canadian crowd can expect a thrilling Free Skating competition on Sunday. 

Ilia Malinin (USA) poised for gold

Two-time and reigning ISU World Champion Ilia Malinin (USA) is poised for gold following a strong Short Program. Malinin leads with 12 points to spare ahead of Japan’s Kazuki Tomono and Aleksandr Selevko of Estonia. As the scoring is close below Malinin, the battle for the podium and the ISU Grand Prix standing points will continue on Sunday.

Skating last, top seeded Malinin once more turned in a confident performance to “Dies Irae” and “The Lost Crown”, reeling off a quad flip, triple Axel and level-four spins and footwork. The crowd at the SaskTel Centre cheered for his backflip and acrobatic “raspberry twist”. However, the quad Lutz in the combination got a “q” for a little under-rotation, which cost a few points. Malinin scored 104.84 points. 

“I feel overall pretty good about my performance today,” Malinin said. “I would say that compared to Grand Prix de France, this one was a better feeling and I felt a lot more stable on the ice. It seemed like the scoring for the whole event was strict, but every event is different so that's something I don't really worry about too much.”

Ilia Malinin (USA) made an uncharacteristic mistake but still led the Short Program at Skate Canada 2025 in Saskatoon, Canada © ISU

It will be an early start of the day for the Men with the competition starting at 10.30am on Sunday.

“It's an interesting choice for what they did for the schedule,” Malinin said. “But again, we as athletes, we have to adjust and we have to perform under any circumstances. So I'm looking forward to getting as much sleep as I can and hoping that I'll feel good before the free program.” 

Tomono’s cool program to “That’s It, I’m Crazy” featured a quad toe-triple toe, a somewhat shaky quad Salchow and a triple Axel. The Japanese skater posted a season’s best of 92.07 points. 

Kazuki Tomono (JPN) plans on making a challenge for top spot in the Free Skate on Sunday at Skate Canada 2025 in Saskatoon, Canada © ISU

“I was very nervous today, but I was able also to stay composed and was able to perform pretty well,” Tomono commented. “I've been doing a lot of practices and I think so that this short program performance is a very good stepping-stone to my free skate tomorrow.”

Selevko interpreted “Kiss” by Prince and the crowd loved his eccentric performance that was highlighted by a quad toe, triple Axel and difficult steps and spins. The 2024 ISU European silver medallist set a new personal best with 91.28 points. 

“I feel really good about my program and I’m happy I skated clean,” Selevko noted. “The crowd was really, really good and supportive. I feel that everybody did a good job and overall the level of this event is pretty good.” 

Aleksandr Selevko (EST) felt buoyed by the crowd's support at Skate Canada 2025 in Saskatoon, Canada © ISU

With the scoring being close, several skaters still have a shot at the podium in the Free Skating on Sunday. Kao Miura (JPN) is currently ranked fourth at 89.80 points, while ISU Grand Prix Finalist Kevin Aymoz (FRA) sits in fifth on 87.46 points. Nikolaj Memola (ITA) ranks sixth on 86.45 points. 

The schedule of the ISU Grand Prix Skate Canada International is as follows:
 Friday, October 31: Women’s & Pairs Short Programs
 Saturday, November 1: Rhythm Dance, Men’s Short Program, Women’s & Pairs Free Skating
 Sunday, November 2: Men’s Free Skating, Free Dance

ISU Grand Prix Standings

Check out who is on their way to qualify for the ISU Grand Prix Final:

Men                               Women                    Pairs                      Ice Dance

For full entry lists and further information regarding the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Series please visit here.

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The schedules of each ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating event are available below:

5. 17 - 19 Oct 2025                       Grand Prix de France in Angers (FRA)
6. 24 - 26 Oct 2025                       Cup of China in Chongqing (CHN)
7. 31 Oct-2 Nov 2025                   Skate Canada International in Saskatoon (CAN)
8. 07 - 9 Nov 2025                        NHK Trophy in Osaka (JPN)
9. 14- 16 Nov 2025                       Skate America in Lake Placid (USA)  
10. 21 - 23 Nov 2025                      Finlandia Trophy in Helsinki (FIN)  

The ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final: 

5. 04 - 07 Dec 2025                        Nagoya (JPN)