Among the 14 figure skating community members killed in Wednesday night’s plane crash were two teenage skaters, their mothers, and two former world champions who were coaching at a historic Boston club. The tragedy occurred when an American Airlines flight collided with an Army helicopter and plunged into the icy waters of the Potomac River.
Skating Club of Boston CEO Doug Zeghibe confirmed Thursday that skaters Jinna Han and Spencer Lane, along with their mothers, were among the victims. Also killed were 1994 pairs world champions Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov of Russia.
According to Zeghibe, a total of 14 victims had been returning from a national development camp for talented young skaters after the U.S. Championships in Wichita, Kansas. Skating clubs in Philadelphia and the Washington area also shared their condolences for those lost.
“We came here because we needed to be together,” said 1956 Olympic champion Tenley Albright while standing at a rink near Boston that bears her name. “We’re a family and a community, and those on that plane were part of our family too.”
“I don’t have any answers—I can hardly believe this happened because I still picture them here,” Albright said, her voice breaking with emotion. “It’s heartbreaking and so sad. We just feel the need to be together, which is why there are so many hugs today.”
The Kremlin also confirmed that Shishkova and Naumov were on board. Their students included their 23-year-old son, Maxim, a former U.S. junior champion who has placed fourth at senior nationals for the past three years. On Sunday, he narrowly missed the podium again while his parents watched from INTRUST Bank Arena in Wichita.
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