Quad God Ilia Malinin Teases Never Done Before Quintuple Jump in Milan

With Ilia Malinin, the United States is highly touted to win its first back-to-back gold in men’s figure skating singles since 1988.

Quad God Ilia Malinin Teases Never Done Before Quintuple Jump in Milan

Ilia Malinin (Image via Associated Press)

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In the world of figure skating, limits are rarely challenged. The quintuple barrier has stayed for years, and the physics of it is such that it has been termed impossible to land. Ilia Malinin, a US figure skating phenom from Fairfax, Virginia, has made it a hobby to test those limits of what’s possible and what’s not.

It was not long ago that he became the first and only skater to date to land a quadruple axel. At the age of 17, Malinin took what’s called the most difficult jump in figure skating for a twist, while winning the men’s singles at the 2022 CS U.S. International Figure Skating Classic. That’s not all. In the World Championships in Boston last year, this “Quad God” became the first to land quadruples of all six jumps: toe loop, Salchow, loop, flip, Lutz, and Axel.

Now, he’s shooting for the quintuple. No one has done it before, and Malinin wants to be the first. He’s in fact planning to do one at the Winter Olympics 2026. There was chatter that he had successfully landed a quintuple in training; now he’s teasing that it might be finally time to unveil it in front of a cheering crowd. Malinin said when he was pressed on about the chances of landing one in competition:

Maybe, maybe not… We’ll see. I’m thinking about it. Thinking, not doing it, or doing it. I keep you guys on your toes.

While he wasn’t willing to give away any more hints about the chances of landing one, he admitted that he is physically ready for it. It’s just a matter of time.

Ilia Malinin finished final practice in Milan with Snoop Dogg in the audience

Ilia Malinin had a special guest at his final practice. It was more than just a practice session, more like a celebrity crossover episode of sorts. At Milano Ice Skating Arena, Malinin graced the ice with his signature backflips and gravity-defying jumps for an audience of one: Snoop Dogg.

The rapper was in awe of his performance that he had nothing but a Perfect 10 to offer the 21-year-old. He also joked that he would have given Malinin more if he had more fingers to raise. Malinin had previously admitted that meeting Snoop Dogg in Milan would be one of the most exciting things ever.

Snoop Dogg was one of the highlights of the Paris Summer Olympics two years ago, and NBC brought him back with his funky energy. The “Drop It Like It’s Hot” maestro has an additional role this time. He’s joining the team as its first-ever Honorary Coach.

And he has fully embraced the title. Dogg gave off Uncle Sam from all angles with his outfit, a bold red outfit topped with a blue-and-white, star-spangled coat on Tuesday. The funky energy is very much alive. He climbed aboard one of the arena’s Zambonis, riding the ice resurfacer as it completed its rounds.

Figure Skating Men’s Singles at Winter Olympics 2026

The Winter Olympics figure skating events will kick off on February 6. The first three days will feature events, followed by rhythm dance on February 9. The Men’s Singles short program is scheduled for February 10, and the free skate for February 13.

Ilia Malinin
Ilia Malinin (Image via Getty Images)

The Men’s Singles will feature 30 different skaters from 23 nationalities. The United States of America and Japan will feature three athletes in the event. In addition to Ilia Malinin, the US team has Maxim Naumov, son of Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov, who passed away in the Potomac mid-air collision last year, and Andrew Torgashev.

Though Malinin leads the favorites, there are a handful of men to watch out for. Among returnees are Yumi Kagiama, the silver medallist from Beijing four years ago, Adam Siao Him Fa, and Matteo Rizzo. Adam had previously finished with a bronze at the World Championships 2024.

Additionally, the list includes Mikhail Shaidorov, World Championships 2025 silver medalist, who made the top ten combined scores with his World Champs score. Reigning European champion Nika Egadze from Georgia has also made the cut.

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