#FigureSkating 

 

Ilia Malinin holds a narrow lead after Saturday's Short Program at Skate America in Allen, TX © ISU

Reigning ISU World Champion Ilia Malinin (USA) topped a spectacular Men’s Short Program at the ISU Grand Prix Skate America on Saturday in Allen, TX (USA). 

Malinin (USA) edges Miura (JPN) in Men's Short Program  

These men can dance! Led by 'Quad God' Ilia Malinin (USA) and Japan’s Kao Miura, the competitors put out one great performance after another in the Short Program. Malinin edged Miura by 0.15 points for the lead. Nika Egadze of Georgia placed third.

Malinin's performance to “Running” by NF was crisp, and he interpreted the song with dedication. The 2024 World Champion two-footed his opening quad flip but reeled off an effortless triple Axel and a quad Lutz-triple toe combination, as well as level-four spins. He scored 99.69 points.

“Overall, I feel a bit of relief that I got through it,” Malinin said. “I was a little more nervous than usual, but I think that the first competition of the Grand Prix Series has a little more nerves to it. But I got through, and I'm really looking forward to tomorrow." 

The small difference in points makes it interesting for Malinin.

“I just want to say I really appreciate Kao and competing against him. It really inspires me to do a lot better and having him here really close, it gives me that competition and I'm ready to fight for it in the free program.”

Miura delivered a dynamic performance to “Conquest of Spaces” by Woodkid, landing a quad Salchow-triple toe, quad toe and triple Axel to achieve a personal best of 99.54 points. The 2023 ISU Four Continents Champion is struggling with an injury, but didn’t show it.

 

 

 Kao Miura placed second in the Men's Short Program at Skate America in Allen, TX on Saturday © ISU

“I feel I was able to skate very relaxed,” Miura said. “The skaters before and after me skated great and that gave me a lot of motivation and stimulation.”

Heading into the Free Skating so close to Malinin is exciting for Miura.

“He is God, so I know that I am not an equal opponent, but what can I do? I can only focus on myself and I'll do what I can do tomorrow. Having said that, this is sport, so I will skate my best and he will skate last and hopefully he'll show me a great skate.”

Egadze‘s performance to "L’Enfer" by Stromae included a quad Salchow-triple toe, quad toe and triple Axel. The Georgian picked up 93.89 points, placing for the first time in the top three of an ISU Grand Prix event segment.

 

Nika Egadze (GEO) is in podium position for the first time at an ISU Grand Prix event, sitting third after the Short Program at Skate America © ISU

“I feel really good after today's Short Program,” Egadze said. “I was a bit nervous, but I was trying to enjoy every moment, every second of my program, and trying to do better than the last competition. Now I feel a little bit nervous because I still have to skate the free program. I have to just show what I'm doing on the practice and don't think about the placement.”

ISU Grand Prix Finalist Kevin Aymoz (FRA) was very expressive and landed a quad toe-double toe to finish fourth at 92.04 points. Deniss Vasiljevs (LAT) gave another excellent performance (85.10 points). The crowd also loved the performance by Koshiro Shimada (JPN), who finished sixth (81.88 points). 

For full entries, schedules & results, see the ISU Grand Prix Event Page & ISU GP Skate America Event Page & Official Skate America Website.

Check out the ISU Grand Prix Standings to find out who is on their way to qualify for the Final (data will be available after the conclusion of the first event):

Men      Women            Pair Skating      Ice Dance

 

What & When

The schedule of Skate America is as follows:

Friday, Oct 18: Pairs & Women’s Short Programs

Saturday, Oct 19: Rhythm Dance, Pairs Free Skating, Men’s Short Program & Women’s Free Skating

Sunday, Oct 20: Men’s Free Skating & Free Dance, Exhibition Gala  

 

Follow the ISU Grand Prix Series

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

• 18 - 20 Oct 2024 Skate America in Allen, TX (USA)
• 25 - 27 Oct 2024 Skate Canada International in Halifax (CAN)
• 01 - 03 Nov 2024 Grand Prix de France in Angers (FRA)
• 08 - 10 Nov 2024 NHK Trophy in Tokyo (JPN)
• 15- 17 Nov 2024 Finlandia Trophy in Helsinki (FIN)
• 22 - 24 Nov 2024 Cup of China in Chongqing (CHN)

 

The ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final:

• 05 - 08 Dec 2024 Grenoble/FRA

 

About ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating

The ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Series started in 1995 (previously known a s the ISU Champions Series) and consists of six invitational international senior events and the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final. The top six of the past World Championships are seeded. Competitors collect points in their events towards the qualification for the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final. Only the top six Skaters / Couples in each discipline can qualify for the Final.