Team USA’s Ilia Malinin, famously known as the “Quad God,” stands on the brink of Olympic history today in Milan. Entering the men’s individual free skate this Friday, February 13, Malinin holds a commanding lead with a score of 108.16 following a redemption-fueled short program. As the 2026 Winter Olympics reach their pivotal midpoint, American eyes are fixed on the Milano Ice Skating Arena, where Malinin aims to secure his first individual Olympic gold medal to add to the team gold he helped secure earlier in the Games.

The “Quad God” Seeks Redemption and Gold

After a shaky performance in the team event short program where he finished second to Japan’s Yuma Kagiyama, Malinin roared back in the individual competition. On Tuesday, he delivered a masterclass, landing a massive quadruple flip, a triple Axel, and a high-scoring quadruple Lutz-triple toe loop combination. His score of 108.16 puts him more than five points ahead of Kagiyama (103.07) and France’s Adam Siao Him Fa (102.55).

“I definitely took a different approach than in the team event,” Malinin told reporters after his short program. “I wanted to take this a little more slowly, a little more calm, and just push the autopilot button.” That strategy paid dividends, placing him in prime position to claim the title that has been widely predicted for him since his meteoric rise in the sport.

What to Watch: The Quad Axel Factor

The free skate is where Malinin truly separates himself from the field. He is the only skater in history to land a quadruple Axel in competition—a jump requiring four-and-a-half revolutions. While he played it safe in the short program, expectations are high that he will unleash this historic element today to seal his victory. Additionally, with the International Skating Union (ISU) recently lifting the ban on backflips, fans are eager to see if Malinin will include his signature backflip, a move he successfully executed during the team event free skate.

Team USA Men’s Hockey: Dominant Opener

While Malinin prepares for his coronation, the Team USA hockey squad made a loud statement in their Olympic opener on Thursday. The American men, featuring a roster stacked with NHL talent, defeated Latvia 5-1 in Group C play. The game saw a balanced offensive attack, with New York Islanders center Brock Nelson netting two goals.

Stars Auston Matthews, Brady Tkachuk, and Tage Thompson also found the back of the net, showcasing the depth that makes this U.S. team a gold medal favorite. Goaltender Connor Hellebuyck was solid between the pipes, stopping 17 shots to secure the win. The victory sets a strong tone as they prepare for their next matchup against Denmark on Saturday, February 14. With NHL players returning to the Olympics for the first time since 2014, the pressure is on this “Dream Team” to deliver a medal.

Milano-Cortina 2026: The Medal Race Heats Up

As the second weekend of the Milano-Cortina 2026 Games approaches, the overall Olympic medal count 2026 is taking shape. Norway continues to assert its dominance as the winter sports powerhouse, currently leading the gold medal tally. However, Team USA is building momentum. Aside from the Figure Skating Team Event gold, the U.S. has seen podium finishes in freestyle skiing, with Alex Hall taking silver in men’s slopestyle, and the duo of Cory Thiesse and Korey Dropkin securing silver in mixed doubles curling.

Today’s events could be the turning point for the American medal count. Beyond Malinin’s quest, athletes in skeleton and cross-country skiing are also vying for podium spots. The atmosphere in Milan is electric, with the “Quad God” expected to take the ice for the final group of the men's free skate starting around 1:00 PM ET.

How to Watch the Men’s Free Skate Live

For fans in the United States, the men’s free skate live coverage will be available on NBC and Peacock. The event begins at 1:00 PM ET, but the final group featuring Malinin, Kagiyama, and Siao Him Fa will skate towards the end of the broadcast. This showdown promises to be one of the defining moments of the 2026 Games, potentially crowning a new king of figure skating.