> At a Glance
> – Ilia Malinin captured his fourth consecutive US Figure Skating title
> – Madison Chock & Evan Bates set record with seventh US ice dance crown
> – Olympic team announcement expected Sunday
> Why it matters: Final nationals before Milan Cortina Olympics determine Olympic roster
America’s figure skating season ended with a familiar sight: Ilia Malinin soaring above the rest. The 21-year-old phenom captured his fourth straight US title while reigning world champions Madison Chock & Evan Bates added another record to their collection.
Malinin’s Controlled Dominance
The world champion played it safe, scaling back to three quadruple jumps instead of his usual arsenal. The result? A 324.88-point victory that extended his unbeaten streak to two years.
> “I decided not to go for any risks. I wanted to play it safe, because hopefully in a few weeks I have to go again,” Malinin explained.
Andrew Torgashev finished second with 267.62 points, while Maxim Naumum claimed bronze at 249.16. Both skaters likely secured Olympic spots alongside Malinin.
Emotional Night for Naumov
The 24-year-old bronze medalist carried his parents’ memory throughout the competition. Vadim Naumov and Evgenia Shishkova died in a tragic plane collision over the Potomac River.
> “I gritted my teeth on everything. I fought on everything. If I had to crawl, I would crawl to the end, but I made it,” Naumov said.
Ice Dance Records Fall
Madison Chock & Evan Bates captured their seventh US title, setting a new record. Their 228.87-point flamenco routine earned standing ovations.
Emilea Zingas & Vadym Kolesnik finished second at 213.65, while Christina Carreira & Anthony Ponomorenko claimed third at 206.95.
Key Takeaways
- Malinin enters Olympics as heavy favorite after unstoppable run
- Chock & Bates positioned as gold medal contenders
- Torgashev and Naumov likely secure Olympic spots alongside Malinin
The Olympic team announcement Sunday will determine who joins Malinin in Milan Cortina.
