Ilia Malinin showcased his dominance in figure skating ahead of the Winter Olympics, emphasizing that he still has plenty of room for improvement. The United States world champion secured a remarkable victory at the initial Grand Prix of the season in Angers, France, boasting a nearly unprecedented 40-point lead over his competitors.
Known as the “Quad God,” Malinin executed five quadruple jumps during his free skate routine, with a minor under-rotation being his only noticeable flaw. Despite his success, he expressed his belief that there is much more potential for enhancement. “I think I have a lot more to improve on,” he stated. “I can draw significant lessons from this competition. It was a delightful experience, and I am eagerly anticipating the upcoming season.”
Malinin’s recent win extended his unbeaten streak to nearly two years since his defeat by Adam Siao Him Fa at the same event in November 2023. Scoring a total of 321 points, Malinin comfortably surpassed Siao’s 280.95, who managed to climb from fifth place after the short program but fell short of securing his fourth consecutive victory at his home Grand Prix.
In the men’s competition, Nika Egadze of Georgia claimed the third spot with a score of 259.41, followed by Lukas Britschgi of Switzerland in fourth place with 10 points less. Japan’s Kao Miura initially held the third position but dropped to 10th after two falls, while his compatriot Tatsuya Tsuboi slipped from fourth to seventh.
Additionally, France’s Olympic ice dance champion Guillaume Cizeron and his new partner Laurence Fournier Beaudry clinched their first Grand Prix victory together after trailing in third place following the rhythm dance on Saturday. They accumulated a total score of 211.02, surpassing overnight leaders Lilah Fear and Lewis Gibson of Britain.
The Grand Prix of France serves as the inaugural event of the six regular season Grand Prix competitions leading up to the final in December. This competition is crucial for skaters aiming for success at the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics in February. Live coverage of the Grand Prix season can be accessed on CBCSports.ca and CBC Gem, with a detailed streaming schedule provided for viewers.
The partnership between Fournier Beaudry and Cizeron, formed in January, culminated in a successful performance at the Grand Prix. Fournier Beaudry previously skated with Nikolaj Soerensen, who faced a suspension for sexual misconduct in October 2024, later overturned by an arbitrator in June.
For those interested, a full replay of the free dance program is available for viewing. The event showcases the talents of ice dancers from the ISU Grand Prix de France in Angers, France.
