Italy Ranks Third in Team Skating Event, Malinin Defeated by Kagiyama
In the recent figure skating team competition, Italy secured a spot among the top five teams, showcasing strong performances. However, the highlight was the unexpected result in the men’s singles short program, where Ilia Malinin, a highly anticipated American skater, faltered significantly.
Italy’s Performance in the Team Skating Event
During the first half of the competition held at the Forum di Assago, Japan’s Kaori Sakamoto dominated the men’s short program. He earned the top score of 108.67 points, effectively overshadowing Malinin, who finished with 98.00 points. This result mirrored their earlier face-off at the Grand Prix Final in December 2025, where Malinin had managed to come back strong in the free skate.
Men’s Singles Short Program Results
- 1st Place: Kagiyama (Japan) – 108.67 points
- 2nd Place: Malinin (USA) – 98.00 points
- 5th Place: Grassl (Italy)
Italy’s Daniel Grassl finished in fifth place, trailing behind competitors from Canada and France. Overall standings after the short program are as follows:
| Country | Points |
|---|---|
| USA | 34 |
| Japan | 33 |
| Italy | 28 |
| Canada | 27 |
| Georgia | 25 |
Looking Ahead: The Bronze Medal Challenge
As the competition progresses, Italy aims to battle for the bronze medal against Canada and Georgia. The final scores will be determined by adding the points from each nation’s performances across all events.
In upcoming sessions, Italian teams will return to the ice, with Guignard-Fabbri competing in the dance portion, while Conti-Macii and Lara Naki Gutmann participate in subsequent events. The anticipated climax will unfold as the U.S. and Japan vie for gold, leaving Italy in the hunt for bronze.
