The men’s figure skating event at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics ended with one of the biggest surprises of the Games. After leading the short program and entering the final as the favourite, Ilia Malinin faced a dramatic turnaround in the free skate as the medal race took an unexpected direction.
The competition at the packed Milano Ice Skating Arena highlighted the pressure and unpredictability of Olympic sport, where even the smallest mistakes can change the final standings.
Malinin’s Strong Start in the Short Program
Ilia Malinin delivered an excellent short program, scoring 108.16 points to take the lead. His speed, clean execution, and technical quality created a five-point advantage over his closest rivals, putting him in prime position for the gold medal.
However, the Olympic free skate proved to be a completely different challenge.
Short Program Standings (Top 12)
| Rank | Athlete | Country | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ilia Malinin | USA | 108.16 |
| 2 | Yuma Kagiyama | Japan | 103.07 |
| 3 | Adam Siao Him Fa | France | 102.55 |
| 4 | Daniel Grassl | Italy | 93.46 |
| 5 | Mikhail Shaidorov | Kazakhstan | 92.94 |
| 6 | Cha Junhwan | Korea | 92.72 |
| 7 | Kevin Aymoz | France | 92.64 |
| 8 | Andrew Torgashev | USA | 88.94 |
| 9 | Shun Sato | Japan | 88.70 |
| 10 | Stephen Gogolev | Canada | 87.41 |
| 11 | Kyrylo Marsak | Ukraine | 86.89 |
| 12 | Petr Gumennik | AIN | 86.72 |
A total of 24 skaters qualified for the free skate.
Final Results: Major Upset in the Free Skate
The medal round on 13 February 2026 produced a dramatic twist. Malinin struggled with multiple errors and costly falls during his routine, which dropped him out of medal contention.
| Position | Athlete | Country | Total Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gold | Mikhail Shaidorov | Kazakhstan | 291.58 |
| Silver | Yuma Kagiyama | Japan | 280.06 |
| Bronze | Shun Sato | Japan | 274.90 |
| 8th | Ilia Malinin | USA | 264.49 |
The result marked one of the biggest surprises of the Milano Cortina Games, as Kazakhstan secured its first Olympic gold in men’s figure skating.
Spotlight on Malinin: High Risk, High Pressure
Known as the “Quad God,” Malinin is famous for pushing technical limits, including the historic quadruple axel and multiple quad combinations. His aggressive technical layout gives him a major scoring advantage when executed cleanly.
But the Olympic final showed the risk of such high-difficulty programs. A series of mistakes, including missed jump elements, significantly reduced his score and pushed him down to eighth place overall.
Despite the disappointment in the individual event, Malinin earlier won a team event gold with the United States, confirming his importance to Team USA.
Event Timing and Status
- Men’s Free Skate: 13 February 2026
- Venue: Milano Ice Skating Arena
- Status: Completed
The final standings are now official, closing the men’s singles competition at Milano Cortina 2026.
How the Men’s Figure Skating Event Works
Short Program requires specific elements including jumps, spins, and step sequences with very little margin for error.
Free Skate allows longer routines, multiple quadruple jumps, and higher scoring potential. Final rankings are decided by the combined total from both segments.
Read more: Madison Chock & Evan Bates Win Silver in Ice Dance at Milan-Cortina 2026
Why the Free Skate Decides Everything
The free skate carries higher scoring weight and often determines the medals. Skaters must balance difficulty with consistency, as Olympic pressure leaves no room for recovery after mistakes.
The 2026 final once again proved that success at the Olympics depends not only on technical difficulty, but also on execution, control, and mental strength.
FAQs
When was the men’s free skate held?
The medal round took place on 13 February 2026 at the Milano Ice Skating Arena.
Who led after the short program?
Ilia Malinin led the short program with 108.16 points but finished eighth overall.
Who won gold in men’s figure skating?
Mikhail Shaidorov of Kazakhstan won the gold medal with a total score of 291.58.
Did Malinin win any medal at the Olympics?
He did not medal in the individual event but won gold earlier as part of Team USA in the team competition.
How many skaters qualified for the free skate?
The top 24 athletes from the short program advanced to the final segment.
