Ilia Malinin Takes Lead at 2024 Skate America After Short Program
At the 2024 Skate America in Allen, Texas, Ilia Malinin leads the competition after the short program with a score of 99.69, narrowly surpassing Japan’s Miura Kao at 99.54. The event kicks off the International Skating Union’s Grand Prix circuit, and notable performances included Georgia’s Nika Egadze in third place and France’s Kevin Aymoz, who is making a comeback after a difficult season.
At the 2024 Skate America event held on October 19 in Allen, Texas, reigning world champion Ilia Malinin secured his position in first place after an impressive short program. The competition marks the beginning of the International Skating Union’s Grand Prix circuit, leading up to the Grand Prix Final in Grenoble, France, scheduled for December. Mr. Malinin, at the age of 19, commenced his routine with a tentative landing on his quadruple flip jump. Nevertheless, he exhibited remarkable skill thereafter, performing a flawless triple Axel followed by a combination of quadruple Lutz and triple toe, although he made a slight modification by excluding a second jump from his opening sequence. His score of 99.69 narrowly edged out Japan’s Miura Kao, who scored 99.54, with Georgia’s Nika Egadze trailing in third place with 93.89. France’s Kevin Aymoz was positioned fourth with a score of 92.04, while Deniss Vasiljevs from Latvia completed the top five with 85.10. Just prior to Mr. Malinin’s performance, Mr. Miura executed a commendable technical program, initiating with a clean quad Salchow and triple toe combination, alongside a triple Axel and a quad toe. In addition, Mr. Aymoz, who previously achieved two top-10 placements at the World Championships, is endeavoring to rejuvenate his career following a challenging 2023-24 season which resulted in a 31st place finish in the short program at the European Championships, leading to his decision not to compete further that season to focus on mental health in anticipation of the upcoming Olympic events. His journey has been turbulent, but he demonstrated resilience by winning the short program at the recent French Masters before concluding with a 10th place in the free skate and finishing seventh overall. During his Saturday performance in Allen, he captivated the audience with his dynamic routine, receiving enthusiastic applause as he celebrated the successful execution of his opening quadruple jump, marking a significant milestone in his Grand Prix season.
The Skate America competition is the inaugural event of the International Skating Union’s Grand Prix circuit, consisting of six events that culminate in the prestigious Grand Prix Final. Figure skating, a sport that combines athleticism with artistry, features competitions for both men’s and women’s singles, pairs, and ice dance. The short program is one segment of the competition where skaters showcase their skills and technical prowess within a specified timeframe. Athletes’ performances are judged based on their technical elements, choreography, and overall presentation, with the goal of qualifying for subsequent events and ultimately the Grand Prix Final.
In conclusion, Ilia Malinin’s strong performance at the 2024 Skate America has placed him at the forefront of the men’s figure skating competition as he leads after the short program. His narrow lead over Miura Kao and the solid performances from other competitors underscore the competitive nature of the event. As the Grand Prix circuit progresses, the athletes will continue to refine their routines in preparation for the Grand Prix Final in December, making the upcoming competitions highly anticipated.
Original Source: olympics.com
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