Nathan Chen, Nancy Kerrigan, and Peggy Fleming headline a remarkable gathering of figure skating stars at a special charity event being held in Washington, D.C., this weekend. The event aims to aid those affected by the tragic midair collision and subsequent crash near Ronald Reagan International Airport. Anticipated Olympic prospect Isabeau Levito, alongside the current reigning ice dance world champions Madison Chock and Evan Bates, is set to join the “Legacy on Ice” tribute this Sunday.
“This incredible assembly of figure skating legends, spanning across different generations from past champions to current hopefuls, underscores the solidarity of the skating community and its commitment to supporting each other,” stated 1988 Olympic gold medalist Brian Boitano, who will host the event.
The crash on January 29, which resulted from an Army helicopter colliding with an American Airlines plane, claimed the lives of 67 individuals including 28 from the figure skating fraternity. The tribute show is orchestrated by Monumental Sports & Entertainment in partnership with U.S. Figure Skating, DC Fire & EMS Foundation, and the Greater Washington Community Foundation.
Demand for participation is overwhelming, Boitano shared, as the event lineup includes a plethora of skating stars. With a roster strong enough to continue for five hours, the two-hour presentation aims to lift spirits and provide solace. “This is about hope and inspiration. It’s about rallying around families in need and rebuilding from the void left behind,” Boitano explained.
Joining this memorable event are two-time U.S. champion Amber Glenn, 2024 world titleholder Ilia Malinin, and prominent figures such as Johnny Weir, Kristi Yamaguchi, and Scott Hamilton. The show will be available to stream on Peacock and locally through Monumental Sports Network, with NBC airing an encore later.
Kerrigan, alongside fellow Olympic silver medalist Paul Wylie, represent the Skating Club of Boston, which felt the crash’s impact immensely, as did clubs in Northern Virginia and Washington. According to U.S. Figure Skating’s interim CEO, Sam Auxier, pulling together an event of this caliber in under a month speaks volumes about the community’s resilience and thorough dedication.
“It’s been nothing short of astounding to witness the sport’s finest unite for this cause,” Auxier mentioned. “The event’s historic significance is a testament to the enduring passion and camaraderie that hallmark figure skating.”
Veteran champions like Boitano, Yamaguchi, Kerrigan, Wylie, Hamilton, and the iconic Fleming, now 76, typically reunite annually at major championships, but this gathering embodies a deeper sense of unity and purpose—to generate support and raise funds.
“Continuously interacting with each other strengthens our already close-knit bonds,” Boitano observed, emphasizing the familial essence of the figure skating world.
