Ilia Malinin showcased his dominant lead in figure skating ahead of the Winter Olympics, expressing his continuous drive for improvement. The American world champion triumphed at the inaugural Grand Prix of the season in Angers, France, with an impressive 40-point lead.
Known as the “Quad God,” Malinin executed five quadruple jumps flawlessly in his free skate, with only a slight under-rotation as a minor setback. Despite his remarkable performance, he remains determined to enhance his skills further, stating, “I believe there’s room for significant improvement. This competition was enjoyable, and I am eagerly anticipating the upcoming season.”
Maintaining an undefeated streak for nearly two years, Malinin’s total score of 321 points surpassed his closest competitor, Adam Siao Him Fa, who secured 280.95 points for second place. While Siao demonstrated resilience by climbing from fifth place after the short program, he fell short of extending his winning streak at his home Grand Prix.
Nika Egadze of Georgia secured the third spot with 259.41 points, followed by Lukas Britschgi of Switzerland in fourth place, trailing by 10 points. However, Japan’s Kao Miura and Tatsuya Tsuboi faced setbacks, with Miura dropping to 10th place and Tsuboi sliding to seventh after the free skate.
In the ice dance category, France’s Olympic champion Guillaume Cizeron and Laurence Fournier Beaudry clinched their first Grand Prix victory together. After standing third following the rhythm dance, the duo scored a total of 211.02 points, surpassing the overnight leaders Lilah Fear and Lewis Gibson of Britain, who settled for second place with 210.24 points.
Marie-Jade Lauriault and Romain Le Gac from Canada finished in sixth place with a score of 186.49, showcasing significant improvement in the free dance segment after their sixth-place finish in the rhythm dance.
The Grand Prix of France marks the beginning of a series of six Grand Prix events leading up to the final in December, serving as a crucial test for skaters aiming for success at the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics in February. Live coverage of the Grand Prix season can be streamed on CBCSports.ca and CBC Gem, providing viewers with an opportunity to witness the journey of these talented athletes.
