The clear favorite for gold in men's figure skating, American Ilia Malinin places eighth after falling twice in free skate. With a five-point lead separating him from the rest of the field after Tuesday's short program, the 21-year-old was the last skater to take the ice. Ashley Landis/APBut Malinin rebounded for the free skate portion of the team event. Though he still wasn't perfect, nor did he attempt his quad axel, he easily led the United States to a gold medal. He said he felt ready for his free skate and for the moment he had been dreaming about for years.