Figure skating-American Malinin lands first ever quad Axel in a short program

Figure Skating - ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating - Final - National Indoor Stadium, Beijing, China - December 7, 2023 Ilia Malinin of the U.S. in action during the men's short program REUTERS/Tingshu Wang

BEIJING (Reuters) - American Ilia Malinin made more quad history on Thursday at the ISU Grand Prix Final as the first skater to land a quadruple Axel in a short program.

The 19-year-old is the only skater to have landed a quad Axel in competition, but had never attempted it in a short program where it is riskier because there is less margin for error. The quad Axel is considered the sport's most difficult jump because it has four-and-a-half revolutions.