Ilia Malinin made history late Wednesday when the 17-year-old wunderkind, and the heir apparent to Olympic champion Nathan Chen among American figure skaters, successfully landed the first quad axel in competition.

Most of NBC’s announcers for the Winter Olympics in Beijing are going to be stationed stateside.

“I wouldn’t say this is my best free program ever,” he said. Even the look on his face at the conclusion of his free skate was intensely focused rather than celebratory. It's possible Chen and Hanyu won't face off again until December's Grand Prix Final — or perhaps even until the Olympics. He rallied with a spectacular free skate to climb from 17th place to fifth. Their free skate to “Both Sides Now” displayed both sides of the discipline: sharp technique and creative artistry.

Multiple medals at the World Figure Skating Championships are rare for the United States. Madison Hubbell and Zach Donohue collected bronze in ice dance. Hubbell and Donohue figure to be tested by Madison Chock and Evan Bates, with whom they have swapped U.S. titles in recent years. Hubbell and Donohue edged Chock and Bates in January at nationals, reversing the finish for each couple in 2019. “Madison Chock and Evan Bates have only competed once this season, where Madison Hubbell and Zach Donohue have been stellar in their events, and I think the momentum is in their favor.