Ask Onix
Malinin stuns Milan-Cortina with groundbreaking backflip
American figure skater Ilia Malinin became the first athlete in half a century to land a legal backflip at the Winter Olympics, electrifying the crowd in Milan-Cortina during the team event. The 21-year-old's daring move-banned for safety since 1976-secured a historic moment for the sport and propelled the U.S. to team gold.
Team gold secured amid imperfection
Despite errors in his routine, Malinin delivered the highest score of the competition, surpassing 200 points and clinching the U.S. team's victory by a single point over Japan. His performance underscored his reputation as the sport's most dominant force, even when not at peak form.
"It's his Olympics to lose. The talent was always there; he is otherworldly."
Robin Cousins, Olympic gold medalist
Cousins, a former Olympic champion, praised Malinin's evolution, noting his "quirky style" has matured into a signature blend of athleticism and artistry. "Anyone lucky enough to be in Milan will remember this as an 'I was there' moment," he added.
The 'Quad God' and his signature moves
Malinin, undefeated in competition for nearly two and a half years, earned his "Quad God" moniker by becoming the first skater to land a quadruple axel-a jump requiring four and a half rotations in midair. Though he opted for triple axels in the team event, his precision compensated for the lower difficulty, yielding a net scoring advantage.
His backflip, however, stole the spotlight. Banned after Terry Kubicka's 1976 performance due to safety concerns, the move was reinstated thanks to advocacy from skaters like France's Surya Bonaly, who executed it illegally at Nagano 1998. Malinin's flawless one-footed landing marked the first legal Olympic backflip since the ban.
Strategy and dominance in the free skate
Originally slated to compete only in the team event's short program, Malinin volunteered for the free skate to bolster the U.S. title defense. "It was an honor," he told the BBC. "I didn't go full capacity-I'm pacing myself for the individual events."
His free skate prowess is unmatched. At December's Grand Prix Final, Malinin trailed after the short program but surged 30 points ahead in the free skate, leveraging a program with the highest technical score in the field. Judges reward his ambition with bonus points and elevated component scores.
The science behind the spectacle
Malinin's physical gifts defy convention. Analysis from the World Championships revealed his triple axel launches him 90cm high-comparable to an NBA player's standing jump-while covering 2.38m in distance. His quadruple axel demands 350 revolutions per minute, akin to a kitchen blender's speed, followed by a landing that channels immense force through a single blade on ice.
Born in Virginia to Uzbek Olympians Tatiana Malinina and Roman Skorniakov, Malinin inherited a genetic and coaching advantage. His grandfather, Valery Malinin, coaches in Russia, while his parents' experience shaped his training environment. "He embodies the ideal male figure skater," analysts note, combining raw power with artistic flair.
What's next for Malinin
With team gold secured, Malinin now turns his focus to the individual competition, where he remains the favorite. Japan's Yuma Kagiyama outperformed him in the team short program, mirroring their December showdown, but Malinin's free skate dominance suggests a commanding lead is within reach.
The Winter Olympics continue through February 22, with Malinin's next appearance eagerly anticipated. Fans can follow live streams and updates on BBC platforms (UK only).
