Superb Malinin cruises to fourth US figure skating title as Chock-Bates make history

• Sublime Malinin cruises to fourth US crown

• Chock and Bates claim record seventh US title

• Olympic team selections to be named Sunday

Ilia Malinin, a red-hot favorite for gold at next month's Milano-Cortina Olympics, cruised to a fourth consecutive national title at the US Figure Skating Championships on Saturday while Madison Chock and Evan Bates captured a record seventh national ice dance crown.

Malinin, who separated himself from the field in St Louis with a remarkable performance in Thursday's short program, returned to score 209.78 points in the free skate for a 324.88 total in his final tune-up for the Olympics.