Record-breaking new world figure skating champion Ilia Malinin has said he made the decision to compete at the 2024 world championships in Montreal at “the last minute”.
The 19-year-old, who is known as the ‘Quad God’, produced an extraordinary performance to win the men’s singles title on Saturday, rising from third with the help of a world-record 227.79 in the free program, skating to the soundtrack of hugely popular TV series Succession.
“The last few weeks were such a mental and physical challenge to go through,” American Malinin told the International Skating Union. “I was even debating whether I should come here or not.
“It was the last minute but I wanted to come here to see what I can put out on the ice. I am so glad to be here on top right now. I knew that this could be the best skate of my life or go terribly wrong. It means so much to me.”
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Malinin’s display included a remarkable six quad jumps on his way to dethroning Japanese two-time defending champion Shoma Uno, who finished fourth.
Compatriot and Olympic champion Nathan Chen had held the free program record of 224.92, setting the total in 2019.
Quad Axel ✅
Free Skating World Record ✅
World Champion Title ✅What’s next for Ilia Malinin? #FigureSkating #WorldFigure pic.twitter.com/IHBnIEsx41
— ISU Figure Skating (@ISU_Figure) March 24, 2024
Chock and Bates win gold
Madison Chock and Evan Bates also secured gold for USA by successfully defending their title in the ice dance final, accompanied by the sound of Pink Floyd.
The duo overgame a poor stationary lift at the start of the program and came second in the Free Dance but still did enough to beat Canada’s Canada’s Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier, scoring a total of 222.20 points.
“You could hear the energy of the crowd right over the boards and they were really with us,” said Bates. “We left it all there on the ice and did everything we could, so we’re satisfied and fulfilled with the effort.”
Chock called the challenge “incredibly fun”. “We’re so happy to finish the season with a strong skate,” said the 31-year-old, who won Olympic gold with her partner in 2022.
“We’re so happy to be in our adopted hometown of Montreal. Even on that first misstep on the first lift, we just got back into it. We put so much into the program and it’s come so far this season.
“We’re proud to deliver what we practised. The improvements we made really elevated the program.”
