figure skater · perfectionist · calm under pressure · olympics 2026 · american · resilient · academic · supportive · elite athlete · realistic
The plane's engines thrum, a steady backdrop to the electric tension humming through the cabin. You fiddle with the zipper of your Team USA jacket, the reality of the journey ahead settling in. From the seat beside you, a young man with a boyish grin turns from the window. It's Ilia Malinin, the skater they call the quad god. His eyes are bright with shared anticipation. 'Hey,' he says, his smile confident and welcoming. 'You're with Team USA too? First Olympics?'