Ilia Malinin Fan Thread!

[Karen-W]

Before Ilia's 2nd GP in Espoo this week:

This Finnish article translates fairly well into English:

Neloisaxelsankari Ilia Malinin nähdään Grand Prix Espoon jäällä

Ilia Malinin ei ole vielä täyttänyt kahdeksaatoista, mutta hän on jo kirjoittanut nimensä taitoluistelun historiaan.

www.skatingfinland.fi

From the end:

https://twitter.com/x/status/1594738509595680769

@IDC a.k.a. Ritti

Olympics.com has posted a 3-minute video interview: https://olympics.com/en/video/ilia-malinin-i-still-can-t-believe-i-m-in-history

I think the part that amused me most in the Finnish article was that the arena sound operators are already prepared to turn the music volume up for Ilia if he lands another 4A.

 

[skatfan]

I think the part that amused me most in the Finnish article was that the arena sound operators are already prepared to turn the music volume up for Ilia if he lands another 4A.

Let’s hope the camera operators pull out enough to get his whole body in the frame! They’re not used to someone jumping that high!

 

[Cachoo]

Good heavens Ilia had a growth spurt no? I'm now watching a young man instead of a boy. Great smile!

 

[Sylvia]

Ilia attempted and landed his first quad flip (11 base value + 3.30 GOE = 14.3 points) in competition today, won the gold in Espoo (278.39 total), and has qualified for his first Grand Prix Final!

His opening 4A (hand down) was called 'q' so "only" 8.75 points today.
His 2 highest scoring elements were 4T+1Eu+3S (18.31 pts) and 3F+3A+SEQ (16 pts; this combo previously was 3Lz+3A) in the second half of his FS.

 

[thvu]

I wonder how soon until Ilia starts ending his long programs with 3axel/3axel.

 

[livetoskate]

A short clip of Ilia's quad flip:

Ilia Malinin Quad Flip FS Grand Prix Espoo

#iliamalinin #figureskating

youtube.com

 

[Wyliefan]

Ilia landing a 3A on an outdoor rink after the competition.

https://twitter.com/shomakakkoE2/status/1596811998247161858

 

[Sylvia]

The following story appeared in the November issue of SKATING magazine (by Nick McCarvel):

"Calm, Cool, Yet Electric Soul": Malinin Confident, Driven to Reach Olympic Goal - U.S. Figure Skating Fan Zone

The following story appeared in the November issue of SKATING magazine.

usfigureskatingfanzone.com

 

[~tapdancer~]

He is amazing. I love how he does those quads with such confidence. He believes he can do them, and then he does. When he hits his quads, he is untouchable. I will love to see him grow in maturity and artistry, he will be a skater for the ages.

 

[Finnice]

I just kept saying the same in Espoo. He is good now, but if he stays healthy, he can became one of the greats when his performing skills develope. He has it, I am sure. He is funny and intelligent off ice.

He also did get some Finnish chocolates!

 

[Sylvia]

Fan Zone article by Darci Miller (Dec. 6):

After Stunning Debut Grand Prix Season, Malinin and His Quad Axel Head to Grand Prix Final - U.S. Figure Skating Fan Zone

For years, the primary feeling about the quad Axel was skepticism. Surely, a jump that required more than four rotations wasn't possible.

usfigureskatingfanzone.com

A month after Skate America, Malinin had his second Grand Prix assignment at the Grand Prix of Espoo in Finland. He won his second Grand Prix title despite an overuse injury to his left foot and removing all Lutzes from his programs.
Malinin says his foot is now feeling much better, which is fortunate, as his two wins qualified him for the ISU Grand Prix Final on Dec. 8-11 in Torino, Italy.
"I've always wanted to go to the Final, especially since these past years they've always been canceled or I wasn't able to make it," Malinin said. "It's all been such a journey. I'm just very excited to finally make the Final. I'm really hoping to deliver my best out there."

(Ilia had qualified in 1st place for last year's JGP Final before it was canceled.)

 

[On My Own]

He's still got 4 years, I'm sure it'll be fine, but I keep seeing he had an injury? I hope they pace him better through this quad. Rooting for him on the GPF podium!

 

[SkateFanBerlin]

When Ilia came off ice he was wincing. His father asked him if he was OK in the way fathers do when they want a certain answer - in this case "yeah". I don't like parents as coaches/managers - too much chance of bias by the un-knowledgeable. (Remember when Danny signed a skate deal and Michelle spent the season on her butt?)

Agree with above comments to slow things down.

 

[DreamSkates]

When Ilia came off ice he was wincing. His father asked him if he was OK in the way fathers do when they want a certain answer - in this case "yeah". I don't like parents as coaches/managers - too much chance of bias by the un-knowledgeable. (Remember when Danny signed a skate deal and Michelle spent the season on her butt?)

Agree with above comments to slow things down.

Yes and give home time to learn how to compete in seniors on the international stage. More pressure and nerves to deal with.
I like Orser’s approach -small steps to the big goal.

 

[Sylvia]

NBC Sports' GPF video of Ilia's FS jump replays + kiss & cry in Torino (won the bronze medal): https://www.nbcsports.com/video/ilia-malinin-flexes-technical-wizardry-isu-grand-prix-free-skate
Also on YT: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MvjG0gTURak

Just happened to come across this slo-mo clip of Ilia's Skate America 4A (filmed from a slightly different & higher angle in the audience) in Norwood: https://www.instagram.com/reel/CkCsKXpuJtQ/

 

[TheresMaude]

Just happened to come across this slo-mo clip of Ilia's Skate America 4A (filmed from a slightly different & higher angle in the audience) in Norwood: https://www.instagram.com/reel/CkCsKXpuJtQ/

Holy moly!!! The height is ... wow. And it’s great that he lands with so much grace and nice posture and extension. Just beautiful.

 

[Stephanie]

Apologies if this has already been posted elsewhere, but I just noticed that Ilia will be part of the Art on Ice shows in February: https://www.artonice.com/en/program/ilia-malinin/

I guess this means no Four Continents for him (same as Jason Brown) but at least another US man will get a shot at an ISU championship.

 

[skatfan]

Apologies if this has already been posted elsewhere, but I just noticed that Ilia will be part of the Art on Ice shows in February: https://www.artonice.com/en/program/ilia-malinin/

I guess this means no Four Continents for him (same as Jason Brown) but at least another US man will get a shot at an ISU championship.

A little surprised he’s not going for the points at 4CCs, but since artistry is his big goal this year Art on Ice also makes sense.

 

[Sylvia]

Apologies if this has already been posted elsewhere, but I just noticed that Ilia will be part of the Art on Ice shows in February

Interesting - this must have happened in Torino (the show's producer was there) since his appearance hasn't been added to Art on Ice's Instagram account yet (Alexa & Brandon are in their latest IG story): https://www.instagram.com/artonicemagic/

 

[clairecloutier]

Is there a complete cast list for Art on Ice?

I must say, it's kind of a shame to have so many top Americans skip 4CCs in a year when we're hosting the competition. Although I know it's a chance for them to make money. Well, I suppose it opens opportunities for other American skaters to get the experience at 4CCs.

 

[Wyliefan]

Probably smart for Ilia, with his injury. I doubted all along he'd do 4CCs.

 

[DreamSkates]

Probably smart for Ilia, with his injury. I doubted all along he'd do 4CCs.

Exactly what is his injury? I must have missed that in reading through posts.

 

[Wyliefan]

@DreamSkates It's something to do with his left foot. It's the reason he hasn't been doing lutzes.

 

[DreamSkates]

@DreamSkates It's something to do with his left foot. It's the reason he hasn't been doing lutzes.

Thanks.

 

[BittyBug]

I know it's a chance for them to make money.

Not an insignificant point, especially given the dearth of show opportunities in the US.

 

[Sylvia]

Just happened to come across this slo-mo clip of Ilia's Skate America 4A (filmed from a slightly different & higher angle in the audience) in Norwood: https://www.instagram.com/reel/CkCsKXpuJtQ/

Here's someone else in the audience who filmed Ilia's 4A in Norwood: https://www.instagram.com/reel/CkCwH4Tjqm_/
She tweeted the same clip with "Not sure what was better — Ilia landing the 4 axel or that the crowd just would not stop cheering for the next 30 seconds."): https://twitter.com/guttersniper/status/1584032767368916993

She also re-tweeted a longer fan cam clip, filmed from the opposite/judges' side, with this comment: https://twitter.com/guttersniper/status/1584174923496718339

RTing for the crowd reaction — the first “shock” wave of applause when he lands it, and then the second, blissed-out wave of acknowledgement. I don’t have that second wave on my vid because I put down my phone to cheer. I’m sure many others did the same.

ETA: Just realized the audio in the longer clip is out of synch...

 

[Frau Muller]

… I know it's a chance for them to make money. ….

Yup, that’s it. I find it sickening, even though I’ve mostly supported Ilia. I’ve discussed elsewhere…a three-stop tour with Rag’n’Bones et al.

 

[Allskate]

Yup, that’s it. I find it sickening, even though I’ve mostly supported Ilia. I’ve discussed elsewhere…a three-stop tour with Rag’n’Bones et al.

We get it. You're having a prolonged hissy fit about this. But, do you have to carry this over here and continue to beat this dead horse in this teenager's "fan" thread? Seriously?

 

[Frau Muller]

We get it. You're having a prolonged hissy fit about this. But, do you have to carry this over here and continue to beat this dead horse in this teenager's "fan" thread? Seriously?

Hey, I just discovered that Brezina used Rag’n’Bones’ music (“Human”). A skating hit!

Apparently, Ilia’s name is no longer on the AoI list.

 

[Sylvia]

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

USA's Ilia Malinin talks about his experience in Torino, Italy, at the 2022-23 Grand Prix Final. He discusses his current program layout, transitioning into the senior ranks, the process of learning a jump, who he looks up to, and more!