The devastating midair collision over Washington, D.C., has sent shockwaves through the tight-knit figure skating community, as several victims were skaters, coaches, and parents returning from a national development camp.
The tragedy has left those in the skating world grappling with grief, guilt, and heartbreaking “what ifs.” For some, small, last-minute decisions kept them off the ill-fated flight, adding to the emotional toll.
“It feels like losing a member of your family—it’s that devastating,” said Craig Maurizi, director of figure skating at Ice House in Hackensack, New Jersey.
The American Airlines flight, carrying 64 people, collided with a Black Hawk military helicopter as it approached Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on Wednesday night. Among those presumed dead were 14 figure skaters, their parents, and coaches, including Olympic gold medalists Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov.
Maurizi, who had known the couple for decades, described the heartbreak of realizing their son, a promising competitive skater, is now orphaned.
“I’ve known him since the day he was born, and the thought of him losing both parents is unbearable. It makes you want to throw up,” he said.
Many of the skaters onboard had attended the National Championships last week, staying afterward for an elite training camp. The loss is not just personal but also a significant blow to the sport.
“These were some of the best young skaters in the country. The fact that we’ll never see them again at competitions is incomprehensible. It’s too soon to fully grasp,” Maurizi said.
Among those lost were Jinna Ha and Spencer Lane, members of the Boston Skating Club, who were traveling with their mother.
Doug Zeghibe, CEO of the Skating Club of Boston, reflected on their talent and vibrant personalities.
“Jinna was a wonderful athlete, competitor, and friend, loved by all. Spencer was incredibly gifted—he hadn’t been skating that long but was already rocketing to the top of the sport,” Zeghibe said.
As the skating community mourns, the tragedy serves as a painful reminder of how fragile life can be.
