Ilia Malinin and Donovan Carrillo Face Off in Men’s Figure Skating Final at Milano Cortina 2026
MILAN, 13 February 2026 — The eyes of the sporting world are fixed on the Milano Ice Arena today as the Men’s Individual Figure Skating competition reaches its climax. This Friday marks the decisive Free Skate session, where the “Quad God” Ilia Malinin aims to solidify his legacy against a field of elite international challengers, including Mexico’s history-making Donovan Carrillo.
The Battle for Gold: Malinin vs. The World
The men’s competition has lived up to its billing as the most anticipated event of the 2026 Winter Games. Following the Short Programme held earlier this week, the standings have set the stage for a high-stakes finale. American sensation Ilia Malinin enters the final day as the man to beat, having remained undefeated in international competition for the past two seasons.
The Quadruple Axel Factor
Malinin, who leads the pack with a Short Programme score of 108.16, is expected to attempt the historic Quadruple Axel in today’s final. While he has landed the jump in previous ISU events, doing so on the Olympic stage would be a first in the history of the Winter Games. His technical difficulty remains unparalleled, though he faces stiff pressure from Japan’s Yuma Kagiyama and France’s Adam Siao Him Fa.
Donovan Carrillo’s Historic Final Appearance
For Latin American fans, the highlight of the week has been the performance of Mexico’s Donovan Carrillo. Following his debut on Tuesday to the sounds of “Hip Hip Chin Chin,” Carrillo successfully qualified for the final. At 26 years old, the Zapopan-born skater has become a symbol of perseverance, securing his place among the world’s top 24 skaters for the second consecutive Olympic Games.
Carrillo enters the Free Skate looking to improve upon his previous Olympic ranking, buoyed by a strong technical performance in the qualifying round that placed him comfortably within the final group.
Standings Heading into the Free Skate
Based on the Short Programme results, the following skaters lead the hunt for the podium:
| Rank | Athlete | Country | Short Programme Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ilia Malinin | United States | 108.16 |
| 2 | Yuma Kagiyama | Japan | 103.07 |
| 3 | Adam Siao Him Fa | France | 102.55 |
| 4 | Daniel Grassl | Italy | (Top 5 Qualifier) |
Understanding the ISU Judging System
The final ranking is determined by the International Skating Union (ISU) judging system, which combines the Technical Element Score (TES) and the Programme Component Score (PCS).
- Technical Merit: Two technical specialists identify the jumps, spins, and footwork, assigning a base value and level of difficulty.
- Programme Components: Nine judges evaluate three specific categories on a scale of 0.25 to 10: Composition, Presentation, and Skating Skills.
- The Total: The scores from the Short Programme and the Free Skate are added together to determine the final Olympic medallists.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Where is the figure skating being held in 2026?
The figure skating events are taking place at the Milano Ice Arena in Milan, Italy, between 6 February and 21 February 2026.
How many skaters qualify for the Men’s Final?
Following the Short Programme, the top 24 skaters advance to the Free Skate (Final) to compete for the medals.
What are the main categories in figure skating at Milano Cortina?
The Olympic programme includes five events: Men’s Individual, Women’s Individual, Pair Skating, Ice Dance, and the Team Event.
Who is the favourite to win the Men’s Gold?
Ilia Malinin (USA) is the heavy favourite due to his technical dominance and undefeated streak leading into the 2026 Games, though Yuma Kagiyama (JPN) remains a close contender.