MILAN, Feb. 10 (Xinhua) -- Reigning world champion Ilia Malinin of the United States took the lead in the men's figure skating at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games on Tuesday.

USA's Ilia Malinin competes in the figure skating men's singles short program during the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games at Milano Ice Skating Arena in Milan on February 10, 2026. (Photo: AFP)

Skating to Dies Irae and The Lost Crown, the 21-year-old scored 108.16 points in the short program. His technical elements score of 62.35 gave him a clear advantage over the rest of the field.

Japan's Yuma Kagiyama, silver medalist at Beijing 2022, placed second with 103.07 points after making an error on the landing of his triple Axel. France's Adam Siao Him Fa followed closely in third on 102.55.

China's Jin Boyang, who finished ninth in Beijing four years ago, was provisionally 13th with 86.55 points. Skating to Fought and Lost, he delivered a solid and clean program without deductions.

"Overall, I'm satisfied with my performance today. It was definitely better than what I delivered in the team event," said the 28-year-old. "I hope I can carry this form into the free skate."

The top 24 skaters of 29 advance to Friday's free skate.