Ilia Malinin Claims Fourth U.S. Title; Chock and Bates Win Seventh Ice Dance Crown
Ilia Malinin won his fourth straight U.S. title with 324.88 points; Chock and Bates claimed a seventh ice dance crown ahead of Milano-Cortina Olympic selections.
USA TODAYFor Ilia Malinin, his first Winter Olympics makes for a family affair
USA TODAYFor Ilia Malinin, his first Winter Olympics makes for a family affair
USA TODAYIlia Malinin is a lock. Who else makes US Olympic figure skating team?
USA TODAYIlia Malinin is a lock. Who else makes US Olympic figure skating team?
Overview
Ilia Malinin won the men's event with 324.88 points, eclipsing Andrew Torgashev's 267.62 for second and Maxim Naumov's 249.16 for third.
The victory is Malinin's fourth straight U.S. title, strengthening his status as a leading U.S. contender for the Milano-Cortina 2026 Olympic Games.
Madison Chock and Evan Bates won a seventh U.S. national ice dance title, while Emilea Zingas and Vadym Kolesnik placed second, Christina Carreira and Anthony Ponomarenko third.
U.S. Figure Skating will announce its 16-member team for the Milano-Cortina Games on Sunday; results from nationals are expected to heavily influence selections.
Malinin's margin and Chock-Bates' continued dominance underline U.S. depth in men's and ice dance, but final Olympic spots remain subject to official selection criteria.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame Ilia Malinin's Olympic journey as a family legacy and a testament to his exceptional talent. The narrative emphasizes his lineage, referring to him as the 'Quad God' and highlighting his strategic decision to perform fewer jumps due to skate issues. The coverage underscores his dominance by noting his significant point lead, portraying him as a sure bet for Olympic success.