In Boston on a Wednesday evening, figure skating fans gathered at the world figure skating championships for a night expected to be filled with dazzling performances. Yet, before the skaters, with their shimmering costumes, took to the ice, a more somber moment unfolded. A choir, garbed entirely in black, sang a heartfelt hymn to honor those who tragically lost their lives in a plane crash, returning from a training camp for emerging skaters.
The performance by Boston’s Coro Allegro of “Precious Lord” concluded an emotional ceremony at the TD Garden. This venue, not far from the local skating club home to six of the crash’s victims, provided a poignant backdrop for the remembrance.
“Tonight we honor those members of our skating community who are no longer with us,” expressed Ben Agosto, a former Olympic ice dance silver medalist serving as the event’s emcee. “Their spirit remains in every edge traced on this ice, in every moment of triumph, and every heart that beats for this sport.”
The devastating crash on January 29 saw 67 lives lost when American Airlines Flight 5342 collided with a military helicopter near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, descending into the icy Potomac River. Among the deceased were over two dozen individuals linked to the skating community, having been en-route from a national development camp following the U.S. championships in Wichita, Kansas.
“For many of us, it feels like we are frozen in time,” remarked Jae Youl Kim, president of the International Skating Union. “We see their spirit in the skaters who would take to the ice today. … Their legacy will continue to shine, inspiring young skaters around the world, fueling dreams and reminding us this sport is so much more than what happens on the ice.”
Earlier this month, a benefit in Washington, where numerous victims resided, featured skating performances that managed to raise over $1.2 million for the bereaved families. The Boston ceremony also included speakers urging attendees to remember those who were never given the chance to compete in such an event.
Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey reflected, “The world figure skating championships is an event to which they aspired. While they may not be here in person, in body, their spirit, their passion, their love for the sport, the relationships they built and the memories they created will never fade.”
Throughout the tribute, the victims’ names were prominently displayed on the dasher boards and scoreboards, along with their home clubs in various cities. Videos and photos captured the young skaters in action, still fine-tuning their craft.
“They will live in every title that’s achieved in their name,” said U.S. Figure Skating interim CEO Samuel Auxier, sharing a personal poem. “True skaters never die, we just adopt the passion of their flame.”
Among those who perished in the crash were two skaters, their mothers, and two coaches from Boston’s esteemed Skating Club, a nurturing ground for both Olympians and hobbyists alike for over a hundred years.
This prominent club also serves as the training location for the reigning U.S. pairs champions, Alisa Efimova and Misha Mitrofanov, who competed shortly after the memorial ceremony. Displaying photos of the Boston victims, they remained with the images as they awaited their evaluation scores.
When their scores temporarily positioned them in first place, Efimova acknowledged the crowd’s ovation, remarking, “I feel like the impact they had in the relatively short time we knew them was immense. I think they played a big role in getting us here. I feel their strength and love every day.”
Doug Lane, whose wife and son were among the casualties, delivered the ceremony’s final address. He implored the audience to support the young skaters still among them. “They’re hurting,” he noted. “I hope we can support them in their skating journeys, but I also hope we can help them find happiness off the ice as well.”
Lane expressed that efforts should be made to prevent such tragedies in the future. “Some accidents are avoidable. This one was not,” he stated. “Even a layperson like me can easily identify the systematic breakdowns that allowed this to happen. But rather than looking to place blame, I hope that we can work with our elected officials to make air travel safer for everyone and for all of our families.”