Finding one’s style: Ilia Malinin in Grenoble & other photo-stories

Ilia Malinin’s biggest take away this season, the way we see it?

Him finding his style, him cementing his style – and Ilia’s style is raw, is bold, is contemporary, just like his butterfly twist, if you may. And it’s particularly visible in his short program this season, to “Running” by NF, but also in his “I’m Not a Vampire (Revamped)” free skate, both choreographed by Shae-Lynn Bourne, a precious ally to Ilia in this journey of discoveries.

In Patinoire Polesud in Grenoble, Ilia Malinin repeated as Grand Prix Final champion (this time, as the World champion en-titre) – and he was followed by Japan’s Yuma Kagiyama (silver), whose artistic expression got to the next level under Carolina Kostner’s careful guidance, and Japan’s Shun Sato (bronze), who also embraced the challenge of finding one’s style with the help of former competitive ice dancer Guillaume Cizeron.

Returning to competition after a hazy absence, Italy’s Daniel Grassl was 4th in Grenoble, while first alternate, Kazakhstan’s Mikhail Shaidorov, finished 5th but with a series of impressive accolades nearby: believe it or not, it was the first time in history when a skater from Kazakhstan qualified for a senior GP Final. Plus: Mikhail is the first skater in history to land a triple Axel-Euler-quadruple Salchow in competition (in Grenoble, at this Grand Prix Final), in addition to also being the first in history to competitively land a triple Axel-quadruple Toeloop, also in France earlier this season.

Coming from a turbulent last season, France’s Kévin Aymoz qualified for the third Grand Prix Final of his career and ended the event on the 6th place.

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Our photos are here to tell you how this, all of this, happened.

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Ilia Malinin, short program to “Running”

Ilia Malinin, free skate to “I’m Not a Vampire (Revamped)”

Finding the edge when landing a quadruple Axel has never looked easier

Yuma Kagiyama, short program to “The Sound of Silence”

Yuma Kagiyama at the beginning of his free skate to a Spanish medley, as watched by Carolina Kostner and father Masakazu Kagiyama

Full attention, full focus for the triple Axel

Shun Sato, short program to music from “Ladies in Lavander”

Shun Sato, free skate to “Nostos”

Embracing the future, the unknown, with open arms – Shun Sato in his free skate this season, choreographed (as the short) by Guillaume Cizeron

Daniel Grassl, short program to Chopin: Nocturne in C-sharp minor

Daniel Grassl as Billy Elliot in his free skate this season

From music to costuming, to range of movement, this short program to Dune, choreographed by Ivan Righini, suits Mikhail Shaidorov like a glove. Dare say otherwise

Mikhail Shaidorov, free skate to Moonlight Sonata and “Take on me”

Landing the triple Axel and heading into history with the second part of the combination

The performer that Kévin Aymoz is: watch and learn. Short program to “Everybody” in Grenoble

Kévin Aymoz portraying Van Gogh in his free skate this season

Gold: Ilia Malinin, United States of America
Silver: Yuma Kagiyama, Japan
Bronze: Shun Sato, Japan
4th place: Daniel Grassl, Italy
5th place: Mikhail Shaidorov, Kazakhstan
6th place: Kévin Aymoz, France

[All photos by Alberto Ponti, Grenoble]

Minerva Fabienne Hase and Nikita Volodin: Grand Prix Final dominance.

Madison Chock and Evan Bates: a journey through the history of dance

Amber Glenn: her time to shine has come – and she’s now Grand Prix Final champion