Story perspectives

Quad God Malinin Shines at Nationals, Olympic Spot Near

1/10/2026

Summary

Story summary

Ilia Malinin, the 21-year-old figure skater known as the "Quad God", delivered a short program at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships, scoring 115.10 points with two quadruple jumps, positioning him for a fourth consecutive national title and an Olympic berth.
Fans showered the ice with stuffed dragons, a tie-in for the upcoming How to Train Your Dragon movie, which surprised Malinin.
The Olympic team announcement is expected soon, confirming his roster placement.

History

Historical Context

The U.S. Figure Skating Championships, established in 1938, have significantly influenced the sport's popularity, particularly after Scott Hamilton's Olympic gold in 1984, which boosted television viewership by 50%. Recent performances, like Ilia Malinin's 115.10 points with two quadruple jumps, highlight the event's ongoing importance in shaping Olympic rosters and athlete careers, culminating in the upcoming Olympic team announcement.

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Story summary

Ilia Malinin, the 21-year-old figure skater known as the "Quad God", delivered a short program at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships, scoring 115.10 points with two quadruple jumps, positioning him for a fourth consecutive national title and an Olympic berth.
Fans showered the ice with stuffed dragons, a tie-in for the upcoming How to Train Your Dragon movie, which surprised Malinin.
The Olympic team announcement is expected soon, confirming his roster placement.

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