ANOTHER DARK DAY FOR FIGURE SKATING: TRAGEDY STRIKES AGAIN

A Devastating Loss for the Skating Community
The world of figure skating is mourning yet another heartbreaking tragedy. An American Airlines passenger jet collided midair with a Black Hawk military helicopter near Washington, D.C., on the night of January 29, 2025. Authorities confirmed that there were no survivors. Among the victims were several members of the U.S. figure skating community, including athletes, coaches, and family members returning from the National Development Camp in Wichita, Kansas.
Echoes of 1961: A Multigenerational Tragedy
This devastating crash evokes painful memories of the 1961 plane disaster that claimed the lives of the entire U.S. figure skating team en route to the World Championships in Prague. That tragedy left a lasting void in the sport, and now history has repeated itself in the most painful way.
While the total number of skaters lost in this latest crash has not been confirmed, the Skating Club of Boston has reported the deaths of several of its members, including a married pair of former world champions, two young athletes, and their mothers.
A Family of Champions Lost
Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov, the 1994 pairs world champions known for their charisma and artistry, were among those who perished. After immigrating to the U.S., they built successful coaching careers and played a pivotal role in developing young talent. Their son, Maxim Naumov, a promising U.S. men’s skater, had just placed fourth at the national championships. The loss of his parents, who were also his longtime coaches, has shaken the skating world.
Rafael Arutyunyan, one of the sport’s most renowned coaches, mourned their passing. “They were incredible professionals and wonderful people,” he said. “It’s hard to accept that they’re gone.” Out of respect, his skaters trained in silence the following day.
The Future Cut Short
Among the youngest victims were 13-year-old Jinna Han and 16-year-old Spencer Lane, two rising stars in the sport. Jinna had recently passed U.S. Figure Skating’s highest-level skills test, while Spencer had just won the Eastern Sectional intermediate division title. Both had attended the National Development Camp, where future Olympians are often identified. Their dreams, and those of their families, were shattered in an instant.
Before takeoff, Spencer posted a final photo from inside the aircraft with the caption “ICT -> DCA,” referencing the flight path from Wichita to Washington, D.C. That image now stands as a haunting reminder of lives lost too soon.
A Community in Mourning
The grief has reverberated across the skating world. Olympians Nancy Kerrigan and Dr. Tenley Albright visited the Boston skating rink to support those affected. Albright, who lost friends in the 1961 disaster, admitted, “I don’t know how to handle this.” Kerrigan, visibly emotional, expressed her sorrow: “It’s just unimaginable.”
This tragedy underscores the unique bond within the figure skating community, a family bound by shared dreams, relentless discipline, and now, unspeakable loss.
As the sport grapples with yet another heartbreaking chapter, one thing is certain: these skaters, coaches, and loved ones will never be forgotten.