Malinin Takes Lead at World Championships with Stunning Performance

BOSTON, Mass. — USA figure skater Ilia Malinin secured a commanding lead heading into the free program at the 2025 ISU World Figure Skating Championships on Thursday, scoring 110.41 points and surpassing his personal best by 3.16 points. Malinin, aiming to defend his title on home ice, captivated the crowd at TD Garden with a flawless short program that featured multiple high-difficulty jumps.

Malinin, the reigning world champion and Grand Prix Final winner, expressed his delight after witnessing the enthusiastic reaction from the home crowd. “I was not expecting them to cheer me on halfway through my step sequence, but it was definitely an uplifting experience and it felt really good,” he said. The applause only intensified as he landed a quad flip and a triple Axel, thrilling spectators with every successful jump.

Dedicating his performance to “Running” by NF, a song he identifies with, Malinin entered the ice with a mix of nerves and adrenaline. “I felt more nervous than usual and I didn’t understand why… once the music started playing and I got into my starting position, I almost fell into that flow state and it really just took me from there,” he explained.

The skater’s earlier triumphs provided a strong foundation for his Boston performance. He recalled his season’s first Grand Prix event in Texas, where he also impressed the audience. “When I first landed the quad Axel at Skate America, they were clapping for probably 30 seconds, and I wasn’t even done,” Malinin remembered. The encouragement he received kept building, culminating in a particularly joyful moment late in his routine, where he celebrated mid-skate.

After recent adjustments to his training regimen, Malinin noted, “I really took a different approach to training and I think that really affected how I went out on the ice today.” His focus on refining small details paid off as he showcased a captivating performance. “At nationals, I was not super happy with how it went, but I know some of the key points I really worked on improved,” he added.

Malinin’s previous best in short program scores was 107.25 at September’s Lombardia Trophy, which he struggled to surpass despite earlier victories. However, the environment at TD Garden seemed to inspire his best efforts, leading to a breakthrough performance. Following his routine, he was presented with a custom Boston Bruins jersey proudly displaying “Quadgod,” a nickname he has earned for his incredible jumping prowess.

As Malinin prepares for the free program set for Saturday, he holds ambitions to set new personal bests in both the free skate and overall competition scores. All eyes will be on him as he seeks to extend his undefeated season and retain his title on the world stage.