How U.S. Olympian Ilia Malinin Prioritizes Sleep During Figure Skating Competitions 

Ilia Malinin is one of the most exciting athletes in U.S. Figure Skating right now. Malinin lands quadruple jump after quadruple jump and makes it look easy, so it’s no wonder his nickname is “Quad God.”

The gold medalist at the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026, two-time World champion, and four-time National champion credits sleep as one of the factors to his success with Team USA.

Ahead of the 2026 World Figure Skating Championships, we interviewed Malinin about how sleep affects his performance, his sleep setup for the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026, and how he prioritizes sleep while traveling to represent Team USA.

What role does sleep and recovery play in your athletic performance? 

“Training and competing at this level takes a lot out of you physically and mentally. Having a consistent sleep setup that supports recovery and helps me reset between skates is an important part of my routine during major competitions.” 

What did your sleep and recovery routine look like leading up to competing for Team USA at the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026?

“Prioritizing sleep and recovery ahead of the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 was essential for my mental and physical prep. Sometimes my cats, Mysti and Miu Miu, would try to interrupt my rest with some midnight antics, but I did my best to be consistent with my sleep routine at home before leaving for the Games. I focused on going to bed early and hitting that same window every night so I’d wake up refreshed to land my quads the next morning. I also swear by a glass of chocolate milk as a nighttime ritual, and to decompress, I like to play video games, paint, or draw.”

 “Training and competing at this level takes a lot out of you physically and mentally. Having a consistent sleep setup that supports recovery and helps me reset between skates is an important part of my routine during major competitions.” – Ilia Malinin

What did your sleep setup look like while competing for Team USA in Milan?

“My sleep setup during the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 included a variety of Saatva bedding products, such as the Organic Sateen Sheet Set, Latex Pillow, Signature Mattress Pad, and Graphite Memory Foam Topper.” 

How did the products in the Saatva Winter Bundle enhance your sleep during the competition? 

“Sleep and reset time are a big part of how I stay ready to perform, and having a consistent bedroom setup during the Games made a real difference. The products in the Saatva Winter Bundle helped me get comfortable and stay consistent with my rest routine. I’m glad my teammates got to experience the Saatva sleep setup too.” 

How does traveling for competition affect your sleep? 

“I really enjoy traveling, but it can take a toll on my sleep quality. Between the long flights and shifting time zones, I’ve learned that I have to be intentional about sleep and recovery. This means prioritizing comfort on long flights and when sleeping in a different environment, as well as taking steps to adjust to a new time zone before I arrive.”

What do you do to get a good night’s sleep on a plane?

“Sleeping on a plane is definitely challenging, and changing time zones adds to the toll travel takes on my sleep. Depending on how the flight is, I like to watch a movie to relax. I don’t like coffee or tea, so I’ll stick to water or juice to stay hydrated on a flight. Blocking out noise and light with earplugs and an eye mask and keeping my neck comfortable with a travel pillow also help make it easier to fall and stay asleep on a plane so that by the time I land, I’m one step closer to being on the right schedule for training and competing.”  

How do you ensure you get a good night’s sleep when you’re traveling for competition? 

“Consistency is my biggest priority. No matter where I am in the world, I try to replicate my home routine as closely as possible. I’ll keep the room cool, dim the lights an hour before bed, and stick to my usual habits, like drinking that glass of chocolate milk, if I can. Travel can be stressful, but I find that if I can control my environment and stay disciplined with my bedtime, my body stays ready for the ice.”

Next, learn how Saatva is supporting Team USA’s sleep and restoration.