Ilia Malinin Fan Thread!

[Allskate]

Judith's 12-minute Q&A with Ilia at the GP Final for Golden Skate (uploaded today): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3c0_3I1AvLE

He's insightful. I think he's right when he says that he would benefit from getting a choreographer instead of seeing things he likes from Nathan's, Hanyu's, and Shoma's programs and incorporating them into his program. I noticed that his footwork sequence in his long program looks like it was inspired by Nathan's Rocketman program. And, yeah, I can see why he would think that was a great footwork sequence, but he's also probably right when he says that he would feel more comfortable and not have to think so much about presentation if it was choreography that he was comfortable with and was his style.

He mentions that he doesn't have a choreographer because there isn't one where he trains. But, surely there have to be choreographers eager to work with him now and willing to work with him in Virginia or somewhere else. I do know that choreographers aren't free, so it's not that simple, but I hope he can use some of his prize money (or skating show money?) to pay for one next season.

 

[Sylvia]

Meet the Vienna Teen Who’s Changing the Figure Skating World by Jill S. Devine (January 9, 2023; originally published in the January 2023 edition of Northern Virginia Magazine - Ilia was interviewed back in October for this feature article):

Meet the Vienna Teen Who's Changing the Figure Skating World

Ilia Malinin was only 17 when he did what no figure skater in history had done before -- land a quad Axel in competition.

northernvirginiamag.com

Excerpts:

“This is an exciting time for SkateQuest and for Ilia,” says Alejandra Mueller, general manager at SkateQuest. “Our staff watched Ilia grow up. Everyone knows and cares about his family.”
When Malinin returned from Lake Placid, there was a small celebration with cake and other treats held at SkateQuest. Between his friends, family, SkateQuest staff, and members of the Washington Figure Skating Club, about 40 people gathered. “He was so gracious and appreciative,” says Mueller. “Ilia is so respectful and shows tremendous professionalism at such a young age. He’s very self-motivated and stays focused on training, and all of this attention is very new for him.”

Until recently, Malinin, a senior at George C. Marshall High School in Falls Church, was able to lead a dual life on ice and at school in relative obscurity, but that is changing. “I’ve gotten a lot more notice walking down the hallway at school,” says Malinin, who also attended Kilmer Middle School. “Now people see me and ask if I’m the skater boy. [...]
That schedule leaves little room for typical school activities or clubs, but Malinin says he would like to participate in senior-year traditions like going to prom and learning to drive a car. “We’ll have to see if I have time,” he says.

Malinin says physics is his favorite subject, which is welcome news to his physics teacher, Amy Osborn. “Ilia is a fun member of our class, and he always sits right up front and likes to chat with the students around him,” says Osborn.
Osborn says she has not yet seen a huge reaction from Ilia’s classmates concerning his recent achievements. “He just got back from Skate America, and I had him in class this morning, but no one said a word about it when he walked in class,” said Osborn during a call on October 25. “He’s humble and is not one to come in and boast.

Valuing even disappointments as a learning experience, Malinin says he is proud of his accomplishments and plans to keep advancing his skills. “It was a long, hard journey, but worth it to be at the level I am now,” Malinin says. “I feel happy about where I am and will continue to improve. It took hard work and determination, going through so many skates and injuries, and something is always trying to hold me back. But I won’t let anything take me down, and I will keep trying and improving.”

Falls Church [VA] News-Press article by Lois Elfman (Jan. 5):

U.S. Figure Skating Contender Is N. Va. Native - Falls Church News-Press Online

By Lois Elfman The reigning U.S. Men’s Silver Medalist is from right here, within shouting distance of the City of Falls Church. Not only that, Ilia Malinin, the 18-year-old Marshall High School senior, has already made figure skating history as the first person ever to land a “quadruple Axel”...

www.fcnp.com

Excerpts:

As part of his preparation for that premier competition, Malinin spent the just-ended week between Christmas and New Year’s in California, as well, but this time in Southern California to train with a famous choreographer, Shae-Lynn Bourne.
Speaking by phone from there with this correspondent last week, he said, “We came here to make a couple of changes to the programs, to really try to get them as comfortable as possible so that when I go to my next competition, I’ll be really confident skating my programs…and hope for the best with making sure that I’m able to complete everything under pressure.”

Bourne, a renowned choreographer in the sport and three-time Olympian in ice dancing, is known for allowing skaters to slowly develop their artistry while emphasizing their individuality. Malinin described his work with Bourne as “a really fun time” and he is enjoying the learning process.
“I make a lot of connections even with the music to bring the programs to life,” said Malinin. Bourne “is flexible. If something is not working, she’s always there to try and change it. … It’s fun to work with her, but at the same time she’s always pushing me to be better. I’m always trying to be better.”

Malinin, a senior at Marshall High, was born in Fairfax and has grown up in Northern Virginia. He said he’s had a lot of different, fun experiences, and has totally felt at home.
“I really enjoy making new friends there and making even more experiences,” said Malinin, who doesn’t yet have his driver’s license, but he’s working on it. “I have a lot of friends at the rink. There are also other things to do. After I skate, I can always skateboard or ride bikes with friends. I always like to try new things.”

Ilia performed in a sold-out show in Bologna, Italy on Jan. 6th - 8 photos by Wilma Alberti from his exhibition number to "Jealous" by Labrinth: https://www.instagram.com/p/CnJnbaboifU/ (he also skated his SP as an exhibition)
I've posted BOL ON ICE photo & video links here: https://www.fsuniverse.net/forum/th...-skating-shows-worldwide.110167/#post-6362531

 

[Sylvia]

Ilia had his pre-Nationals call today: https://twitter.com/LynnRutherford/status/1616232229113405440

On media call, Ilia Malinin said his recent week in CA included work with choreographer Shae-Lynn Bourne to "make everything a lot more fluid & comfortable," adding his main concern is PCS "because the past couple years, it (wasn't) the highest."
That said, Malinin plans quad axel in his FS in San Jose, but "it all depends on the situation. It's always a huge risk to try to go for when I'm not feeling my best."

 

[Cachoo]

Good gawd Ilia!!!!!!

 

[Wyliefan]

When they zoomed in on his face before he started, I thought he had the eye of the tiger this time. I don't know what sort of pep talk or psychological coaching he's been getting, but it worked!

 

[Cachoo]

All of the elements were clean and strong—just a joy to behold.

 

[livetoskate]

All of the elements were clean and strong—just a joy to behold.

He's so amazing. So far ahead of the rest of the pack. I had to stand up to applaud him in my living room. Can't wait to see how he does in the free skate. Go Ilia!

 

[Allskate]

IMO, that was, by far, the best short program Ilia has ever done and not just because he finally did a clean one. His spins were improved and the performance quality definitely was the best I've seen from him.

 

[TheresMaude]

I haven’t seen it yet, but do you guys think a program skated that well can beat a clean program from Shoma?

 

[orbitz]

Very impressed with Ilia's SP. Besides the gorgeous jumps, he really amped up his performance level. I think they've reworked some parts of the choreography for the better.
I'm not crazy about the costume, but it doesn't matter much when he skates like that.

 

[Allskate]

I haven’t seen it yet, but do you guys think a program skated that well can beat a clean program from Shoma?

IMO, probably not if Shoma skates his best. But, it would help Ilia stay closer to Shoma going into the long program and make it more likely that Ilia could overtake Shoma in the long with his arsenal of quads, including the quad axel. Plus, Ilia is improving the non-jumping parts of his skating rapidly, so who knows what he will look like by Worlds. (Maybe that injury was a blessing in disguise.) And Shoma doesn't usually skate two clean programs. So, it will be an interesting competition. I really do love Shoma's skating, but I'm excited by the ideas of seeing these two battle it out with both skating well.

ETA: In the puff piece they did today, Ilia mentioned working with some choreographers recently, which is a really good sign for the rest of this season and beyond. Earlier in the season, Ilia was complaining about there not being a choreographer at his rink and resorting to picking out choreography that he liked in other skaters and using some of that. He seemed to think that having a choreographer would help him find his own style and improve. Having a good choreographer work with him seems to be helping a lot. The change is dramatic IMO. Having a choreographer work with him to create new programs for him next season could have fantastic results and be a game changer. Doing shows like Stars on Ice also will help him.

 

[mtnskater]

It was a privilege to see Ilia put out such a stellar short program. His jumping is mind blowing and effortless and so beautiful. Most beautiful triple axel I have ever seen.

 

[livetoskate]

This is hilarious that the writer mixed up Brian Boitano with Jason Brown & attributed Jason's words to Brian:

Ilia Malinin Fails to Complete Quadruple Axel at National Figure Skating Championships — but Still Wins Title

On Sunday, teenager Ilia Malinin took home gold at the U.S. figure skating championships despite failing to land the quadruple Axel in the free skate — a jump he has landed in the past in competition

people.com

 

[barbk]

This is hilarious that the writer mixed up Brian Boitano with Jason Brown & attributed Jason's words to Brian:

Ilia Malinin Fails to Complete Quadruple Axel at National Figure Skating Championships — but Still Wins Title

On Sunday, teenager Ilia Malinin took home gold at the U.S. figure skating championships despite failing to land the quadruple Axel in the free skate — a jump he has landed in the past in competition

people.com

The writer probably remembers back when Michelle Kwan won Olympic gold!

 

[Marco]

Very impressed with Ilia's SP. Besides the gorgeous jumps, he really amped up his performance level. I think they've reworked some parts of the choreography for the better.

This. What impressed me most was not the quads but how committed he was to the program. He really nailed it.

 

[Sylvia]

Ilia Malinin's 4-minute "Chasing Gold" segment (season 1 episode 5), narrated by Terry Gannon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jMcsoUPvwOA

Re-posting @tony's reply here :

Seeing Roman and especially Tatiana speak about him was really great. She has still got quite the sense of humor

And both of them look amazing-- she has not aged one day and he looks even better now!

NBC Sports also has posted Ilia's truly impressive Nationals SP: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DrllwsJDkTM

And his flawed FS with the gutsy 3Lz+3A+3T at the end: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nd1qXv27MyA

 

[mtnskater]

I’m so impressed that Ilia goes to normal public high school! Love that fluff piece. Talking to his friends at the lockers about the quad axel. Not surprising that physics is his favorite class since he is good at defying it. His mom says she’s the “ bad cop” coach and his dad is the ”good cop” coach

 

[Private Citizen]

Just opened Ilia's Instagram and saw a clip of a 4T+4T . Is this new, or am I behind the times?

Login • Instagram

Welcome back to Instagram. Sign in to check out what your friends, family & interests have been capturing & sharing around the world.

www.instagram.com

We're unlikely to see this in competition since he's better off repeating the quad lutz, but knowing him, he'll figure out a way to put the 4T on the back of another quad.

I've long thought that Midori Ito was 30+ years ahead of her time in jumping ability, and we'd never see another skater so far ahead of the competition technically. Ilia may be 30 years ahead of his time, especially if he comes out with a quint. I wouldn't be surprised if it takes decades to see anyone else with this level of jumping. The only reason it isn't even more spectacular is we're coming off of the reign of Nathan Chen, who I suspect is also decades ahead of the competition in jumping.

 

[Allskate]

We're unlikely to see this in competition since he's better off repeating the quad lutz, but knowing him, he'll figure out a way to put the 4T on the back of another quad.

If he's still recovering from his injury, maybe the 4t/4t would be better for him than the quad lutz. He's got to think of his health both short-term and long-term, including for purposes of competing.

 

[On My Own]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1628385781541912576

 

[NinjaTurtles]

Two 4A layout?

 

[Karen-W]

Two 4A layout?

Maybe next season.

 

[DreamSkates]

Maybe next season.

This makes me anxious for his health and longevity. He may look super human but serious injuries are possible the more difficult the content. Better to take things slowly.

 

[Allskate]

Two 4A layout?

Maybe. And, maybe he's looking for a different way to add a quad combo into his program if the quad axel is actually more reliable or safer for him than some of his other quads. Or, maybe he's just playing mind games with his competitors.

This makes me anxious for his health and longevity. He may look super human but serious injuries are possible the more difficult the content. Better to take things slowly.

Given his lutz and injury issues, the quad axel might be better for him even though it generally is considered the most difficult quad. In his book, Nathan wrote about how tough the quad lutz was on him, not just because of his ankle but because of the way the torque affected other parts of his body. And, even though it generally is considered more difficult to land a clean quad lutz in the second half of the program, for him it was easier because his ankle was more warmed up by then and because of the way he used his technique. For Ilia, the quad axel might be safer than other quads, both in terms of reliable landings and injuries. Having said all this, I do understand concern about the toll all the quads may be taking on Ilia and the risk of injury.

 

[TheresMaude]

Wait ... is that a quad axel-euler-QUAD salchow? Or a triple salchow?

 

[Karen-W]

Wait ... is that a quad axel-euler-QUAD salchow? Or a triple salchow?

It was a 4a-1e-3s

 

[On My Own]

Maybe next season.

I think it might just be for show. Maybe he'll be even more brave and gutsy (which I love watching from him by the way), but it will leave him in poor health.

 

[Sylvia]

Local Patch article (March 7):

Figure Skater Ilia Malinin Recognized By Fairfax County Board

Ilia Malinin, the only figure skater to complete the quadruple Axel and a Marshall High School senior, received local recognition.

patch.com

"This means so much to me," Malinin said about the recognition. "I've put so much work and effort into trying to get where I am, and I'm just really happy for my parents that they put through all this time and effort to wake me up in the morning and take me this day, and they're just the best."

His father, Roman Skorniakov, attended Tuesday's board meeting to praise Malinin for his motivation to push boundaries as well as teachers for their support.
"I want to say thank you to the school and the teachers because they've been very supportive and standing and tried to help him with any work," said Skorniakov. "He missed lots of school days. So teachers were very supportive."

[Chairman] McKay noted Malinin is a "sensation" among high school kids in Fairfax County.
"The amount of pride that we had in Fairfax County that one of our own, is on a national and international stage the way you are makes us all so proud as a community and so proud of what you're achieving in school as well," said McKay. "I think when you when you watch the tapes of what he's doing, we forget that Ilya is a high school student in Fairfax County Public Schools."

Photo of Ilia, his father and the Fairfax County (VA) Board of Supervisors: https://www.instagram.com/p/Cpf1Staunie/

The Board recognized Marshall HS senior, and 2023 U.S. National Champion, Ilia “Quadg0d” Malinin for his accomplishments in national and international rinks!

Congratulations Ilia, you make Fairfax County proud!

ETA:

https://twitter.com/x/status/1633196401458053121

 

[Cachoo]

This makes me anxious for his health and longevity. He may look super human but serious injuries are possible the more difficult the content. Better to take things slowly.

I know he was talking about how exhausting his program is—I’m so proud of his podium finish. And I love his honesty. Congrats Ilia!

 

[DreamSkates]

I know he was talking about how exhausting his program is—I’m so proud of his podium finish. And I love his honesty. Congrats Ilia!

Yes that’s quite an accomplishment for his first year in seniors!