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Ilia Malinin Hits Milan Ice for Olympic Debut With Ovechkin Laces, Quint Claim

His Olympic debut follows a two-year stretch of undefeated, record-setting skating.

Overview

  • Malinin completed his first practice session in Milan on Feb. 2 and spoke briefly with reporters afterward.
  • He said he will wear bright yellow skate laces gifted by Capitals star Alex Ovechkin throughout the Games.
  • Considered the heavy favorite, he arrives unbeaten since November 2023 and as the two-time reigning world champion.
  • He remains the only skater to land a quadruple axel in competition and landed a record seven quads at December’s Grand Prix Final.
  • He told The Atlantic he has already landed a quintuple jump in practice, a claim reported without independent verification.