3-time world champion Ilia Malinin leads Skate America after a 96.74-point short program

Ilia Malinin began his four-year road to Olympic redemption with a solid short program at Skate America at Angel of the Wings Arena in Everett, Washington, on Friday night.The three-time world champion, who was heavily favored to win gold at the Milan Games in February only to miss out on an individual medal altogether, scored 96.