Ilia Malinin steps up under pressure to power Team USA past Japan for Olympic team figure skating gold

Ilia Malinin stood tall when the United States needed him the most. His powerful free skate sealed the team figure skating gold medal at the Milan-Cortina Olympic Games on Sunday. The gold came down to the final moments. The United States had lost its slim lead after a tough skate earlier in the night, and the pressure was heavy. That is when Malinin stepped on the ice and took control. He landed five quadruple jumps, made one rare mistake, then pushed even harder. His score of 200.03 points delivered 10 crucial points and pushed the U.S. to a total of 69, just one point ahead of Japan.

It was the second straight Olympic team gold for the United States, and the first figure skating medal of these Games. Malinin did not land his famous quad axel, but it did not matter. His speed, strength, and confidence never dropped. By the final spin, his teammates were already on their feet, cheering and punching the air. The crowd inside the Milano Ice Skating Arena roared as he finished.

Ilia Malinin responds after Amber Glenn stumbles as Japan and Italy chase medals

Before Malinin skated, the mood was tense. Amber Glenn, skating in her Olympic debut, struggled through her free program. She finished third, behind Kaori Sakamoto and Lara Naki Gutmann, and the U.S. lead disappeared.

Glenn later said she felt worn down by the unusual team format and limited practice time. “I’m grateful that the team is so supportive,” Glenn said. “But I do feel guilty that I could be the reason that we don’t win the gold, and I don’t know how I will ever apologize for that.”

Japan answered with a strong skate from Shun Sato, who posted a season-best 194.86. His performance brought his teammates to tears, but his technical score stayed below Malinin’s.

Earlier in the night, U.S. pairs skaters Ellie Kam and Danny O’Shea fought through a difficult free skate. Kam battled leg cramps and held on to key landings. Their fourth-place finish gave the U.S. just enough breathing room heading into the final skates.

Italy earned the bronze medal, led by an emotional free skate from Matteo Rizzo, who collapsed to the ice in tears as the home crowd chanted his name.

When Malinin’s score finally appeared, Glenn was the first to reach him. She lifted him off the ice as the U.S. celebration began. In that moment, the weight was gone. Gold was theirs.


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