Ilia Malinin teases return to figure skating competitions after considering time off

The "Quad God" has indicated he will soon be back. Ilia Malinin teased his return to competitive figure skating with a video on Instagram on Monday, July 27, seemingly ending speculation he will take time off from the ice as he prepares for his journey toward the 2030 Winter Olympics. The video appeared to feature him preparing his upcoming program. "Of course, I always believe that with every ending comes a new beginning, but I really think it's time," he said in the post.

"It's time for something new. It's time for something different." But the words appeared to be a bit of a fake-out, with graphics focusing on his competitive path ahead. The apparent decision is news the figure skating world has been waiting for since there were thoughts the 21-year-old sensation would take a year off after a roller coaster season. He stormed his way toward the 2026 Winter Olympics by winning every competition in sight, paving the way for him to stamp his name as the top figure skater in the world at the Milano Cortina Games.

He came up clutch for the U.S. in the team event to win gold, but suffered a devastating collapse in the men's singles event, when several critical errors in his free skate took him from gold medal front-runner to finishing in eighth place. It was the first time he didn't win a competition in nearly two years and first time he didn't take home a medal in four years. Malinin returned to win his third consecutive world title in March to finish off the season, but afterward, contemplated whether he would take a season off. It's common for skaters to take extended breaks after an Olympic cycle, and he also took part in the "Stars on Ice" tour around the U.S. in the late spring. “It's just off of feeling, I think is the best way to put it,” Malinin told USA TODAY Sports in May. “If I feel like I want to get back to competing, then sure.

If not, then I guess not. So it's really just gonna see how everything leads up to that moment.” Malinin teased that his upcoming program for the 2026-27 season will be part of "Vision 2030," as he aims to redeem himself at the 2030 Games in the French Alps. Now, Malinin's first competition is slated to be in Skate America Nov. 13-15 in Everett, Washington, which fellow Team USA member and Olympic champion Alysa Liu will also be a part of. He will also compete for the NHK Trophy in Tokyo Nov. 27-29.