Figure skater Ilia Malinin smashes competition at Beijing Grand Prix Final
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Ilia Malinin landed five out of six attempted quadruple jumps during his impassioned performance to the theme of TV show Succession.
PHOTO: REUTERS
BEIJING – American teenager Ilia Malinin said he was “amazed” to have smashed the competition in the men’s event at the Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final in Beijing on Dec 9, despite falling on his first trademark jump.
The 19-year-old finished more than 17 points ahead of his nearest rival, two-time world champion Shoma Uno, with a final tally of 314.66 points.
In the women’s event, reigning world champion Kaori Sakamoto also had a comprehensive win as she added another title to her winning streak.
Malinin lived up to his nickname “QuadGod”, landing five out of six attempted quadruple jumps during his impassioned performance to the theme of TV show Succession.
He fell hard on his first jump – the notoriously difficult quadruple axel, which he became the first skater to land in competition in 2022.
But the sheer force of the rest of his free skate saw him awarded 207.76, far ahead of Japan’s Uno on 191.32.
“Overall, I just feel amazed that I was able to pull off that performance after that first mistake, it really got in my head a bit,” Malinin said at a press conference.
“After a while, I just calmed down... I was really under a lot of pressure but the crowd and the energy just gave me the motivation to continue.”
Malinin and Uno had less than a point between them after Dec 7’s more prescribed short programme.
Despite deviating from his planned content on Dec 9 to try and boost his score after an early mishap, Uno failed to match Malinin’s extraordinary athleticism.
The teenager is now the first skater to land all six types of quad jump successfully in competition, after a quadruple loop in the free skate.
Uno finished second with 297.34, while his compatriot Yuma Kagiyama was third with 288.65.
In the women’s event, Sakamoto ended more than 20 points ahead, for a final tally of 225.70.
The crowd roared in appreciation as she glided across the ice to Lauryn Hill’s versions of Wild Is The Wind and Feeling Good.
Her win means she has made a sweep of her three Grand Prix appearances in 2023.
“I am really happy now (after the two other wins). I am really excited, I have reached my goals, thank you everyone!” said a beaming Sakamoto.
Kaori Sakamoto ended over 20 points ahead, for a final tally of 225.70.
EPA-EFE
Belgium’s Loena Hendrickx held on for second place overall despite a fourth-place finish in the free skate.
Her performance to Beyonce and Madonna’s Break My Soul was described as a “skate with attitude” by commentators, but flaws in technique meant it was only awarded 130.11 by judges.
Her strong showing in Dec 8’s short programme meant she finished with 203.36 though – just enough to snatch second place from Japan’s Hana Yoshida by 0.20 of a point.
Belgium’s Loena Hendrickx held on for second place overall despite a disappointing fourth-place finish in the free skate.
PHOTO: AFP
Earlier, Americans Madison Chock and Evan Bates said they felt “wonderful” after emerging victorious in the ice dance, winning the title on their seventh attempt with a final score of 221.61.
“I guess our lucky number is seven... This has been a goal of ours for a very long time and it’s always a great pleasure to accomplish a goal,” said Chock.
The reigning world champions spun across the rink to Pink Floyd’s Dark Side Of The Moon, wowing the judges and crowd with their lightning-quick turns and fluid lifts.
Italy’s Charlene Guignard and Marco Fabbri took second place with a final score of 215.51.
Close behind them on 213.58 were Canada’s Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier, who gave an intense performance to Wuthering Heights. AFP
