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Ilia Malinin Starts Milan Training as Gold Favorite, Wears Ovechkin Laces

His unmatched quad arsenal, capped by a record seven-jump program, makes him the consensus pick for gold.

Overview

  • He completed his first practice in Milan and said he will wear skate laces gifted by Capitals star Alex Ovechkin throughout the Olympics.
  • He is the only skater to land a quad axel in competition, underscoring his technical edge.
  • In December he became the first to land seven quadruple jumps in a program at the Grand Prix Final.
  • He arrives at his first Olympics undefeated since November 2023 after a fourth straight U.S. title and is projected to anchor the U.S. in the team event.
  • He says he wants to deliver a performance people will remember and has hinted at pursuing new jump milestones after the Games.