Ilia Malinin Wins Third Skate America Title

Ilia Malinin captured his third consecutive Skate America title, scoring 290.12 points despite an early mistake in his free skate. The reigning world champion displayed resilience by incorporating a backflip, now allowed in competition, and executed an additional quadruple jump late in his routine. French skater Kevin Aymoz finished second with a career-best score of 282.88 points, while Japan's Kao Miura took third with 278.67 points. Malinin noted feeling unusually nervous during his performance, which may have impacted his routine. The event, held at the Credit Union of Texas Event Center, also showcased a competitive ice dance segment, with British duo Lilah Fear and Lewis Gibson leading going into the final routine. Malinin is regarded as a strong contender for the upcoming 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy.