OLYMPICS: Figure skating-Quad god meets Dogg: Snoop gives Malinin a 'Perfect 10'

Milan – Ilia Malinin brought his gravity-defying jumps and signature backflip to the ice on Tuesday, thrilling fans and an unexpected one-man judging panel: rapper Snoop Dogg.

Rinkside, Snoop raised both hands in a perfect-score salute after Malinin’s practice. “Perfect 10,” he told Olympics.com, holding up all ten fingers. “And if I had five more hands, I’d be holding them up too.”

Later, the pair sat together in figure skating’s famous “Kiss and Cry” area for an off-ice chat, as cameras followed them, building excitement ahead of the Milano Cortina Games.

Two-time world champion Malinin is the clear favorite for the men’s event, known for his quad-heavy programs and explosive style that make him one of the Games’ top draws.

Snoop’s cameo went beyond the rinkside view, as he even took a ride on one of the arena’s Zambonis. The hip-hop icon, known for hits like Drop It Like It’s Hot, previously appeared at the Paris Olympics as a special correspondent. NBC has brought him back to deliver his “fun and funky” takes on the Winter Games.

He also joined Team USA as its first Honorary Coach in December, wearing a bright red outfit under a plush blue-and-white coat with stars on the back during Tuesday’s appearance.

The figure skating competition begins Friday with the team event. -Reporting by Rory Carroll in Milan, editing by Pritha Sarkar/Reuters