The figure skating world was left in shock on Wednesday following a tragic incident involving an American Airlines flight that was transporting athletes, coaches, and parents from a development camp in Wichita, Kansas. This flight collided with an Army helicopter and subsequently plunged into the Potomac River, leading to the presumed loss of all on board.
The flight was carrying 60 passengers plus four crew members, alongside three soldiers from the Black Hawk helicopter. Among those feared dead are promising skaters Jinna Han and Spencer Lane, their mothers Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov, both coaches representing the notable Skating Club of Boston. This catastrophic event eerily echoed a similar tragedy from 1961, when a plane crash killed the U.S. figure skating delegation en route to the world championships in Prague, which included many prominent skaters from the same Boston club.
Emotional reactions poured in from across the skating community, highlighting the profound impact of the loss. “We’re family, and the skaters who were on that plane — they are our family, too. I’m in disbelief that this happened,” stated Tenley Albright, a two-time world champion and Olympic medalist.
Amber Glenn, the reigning U.S. champion, expressed her shock, saying, “I’m at a complete loss. It’s heartbreaking to think about the young skaters and coaches who are now gone. My heart goes out to their families.”
Three-time U.S. champion Ilia Malinin also shared his grief, saying, “I am devastated by the shocking loss of my fellow skaters. This community is like family, and we will hold them close in our memories.”
Kristi Yamaguchi, who won gold in the 1992 Olympics, conveyed her sorrow as well, stating, “My heart breaks for the skating community. We’re still gathering information about the incident.”
Brian Boitano, another Olympic champion, shared his sentiments about the families involved, expressing a deep personal connection and sorrow for the tragedy.
Meryl Davis reflected on the youth and talent lost, noting the aspirations of the young athletes on board, their devoted parents, and the coaches dedicated to cultivating their talent.
Scott Hamilton, a four-time world champion and Olympic gold medalist, conveyed a sense of overwhelming sadness for those affected, stating, “This tragedy has deeply shaken our skating community.”
Two-time Olympic champion skier Mikaela Shiffrin acknowledged the shared relationships among those involved, emphasizing the need to recognize the gravity of the situation.
Nancy Kerrigan reminded everyone of the resilience within the community, suggesting that the true test lies in how they respond to such tragedies.
Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean, legendary Olympic figures, expressed their grief, offering their condolences to the families and friends who lost loved ones in this tragedy.
Ashley Cain-Gribble shared her despair, speaking out on the exceptional nature of the young skaters she had worked with, and their striving spirits.
Doug Zeghibe, CEO of the Skating Club of Boston, highlighted how tightly knit the skating community is and expects long-lasting implications from this event.
U.S. Figure Skating expressed their heartbreak over the incident, extending thoughts and prayers to those impacted.
The International Skating Union expressed their shock as well, affirming their commitment to support U.S. Figure Skating and the families affected during this dark time.
ISU representative Gyorgy Elek stated, “The figure skating world is in mourning. The loss of so many from our community sends a wave of sadness that words cannot capture.”
Lastly, Boston-based choreographer Adam Blake spoke candidly about the personal nature of this tragedy, acknowledging the collective pain and disbelief felt within the community.
This unfortunate event serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of life and the connections that bind the figure skating community together in times of profound loss.
