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Figure skating-Malinin leads Skate America short program in season debut
Ilia Malinin led the men’s short programme at Skate America in his first competition since winning a third consecutive world title in March. Despite a mistake on his quadruple Lutz, the American built a 5.45-point lead, putting him in a strong position before Saturday’s free skate.
Malinin scored 96.74, ahead of Japan’s Sota Yamamoto, while Mexico’s Donovan Carrillo was third on 86.49. The 21-year-old landed a quadruple flip and triple Axel but put a hand down on the Lutz and completed only a double toe-loop combination. After finishing eighth at the Winter Olympics, he rebounded to win the world title; he is now aiming to qualify for the Grand Prix Final at the NHK Trophy.
In short
- Malinin leads Skate America’s short programme with 96.74 points.
- A 5.45-point cushion puts him ahead of Japan’s Sota Yamamoto.
- He is targeting a fourth straight Grand Prix Final title.
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