The figure skating community is reeling from the devastating loss of 13-year-old Jinna Han, 16-year-old Spencer Lane, and their coaches, who died in a recent plane crash, echoing past grief from a notorious incident in 1961.
Tragedy Strikes Skating Club as Promising Young Stars and Coaches Lost in Plane Crash
Tragedy Strikes Skating Club as Promising Young Stars and Coaches Lost in Plane Crash
The Skating Club of Boston mourns the loss of two aspiring figure skaters and their coaches in a tragic mid-air collision near Washington, D.C.
In the wake of a horrific plane crash in the Potomac River, the Skating Club of Boston is grappling with profound loss. Among the victims were two promising young athletes, 13-year-old Jinna Han and 16-year-old Spencer Lane, both recognized as future stars of the sport. The CEO of the club, Doug Zeghibe, expressed heartfelt grief, noting their potential to make significant contributions to figure skating, both for the club and their country.
The tragedy unfolded after the young skaters attended a High-Performance Camp following the US National Figure Skating Championships in Wichita, Kansas. Afterward, they boarded an American Airlines flight, which collided mid-air with a helicopter, resulting in the deaths of all 60 passengers on board, including their mothers and celebrated coaches Vadim Naumov and Evgenia Shishkova.
The atmosphere at the skating club is one of profound mourning. Club members spoke of the bright spirits of Han and Lane, with teammates highlighting how their joy and energy filled the rink. "They were just two sunshines that you get the energy from as soon as you see them," skater Alisa Efimova recalled. Coach Naumov, himself a champion alongside Shishkova, leaves behind a son, Maxim, who is also a talented skater.
The Skating Club of Boston has a history marked by both achievement and tragedy, recalling the 1961 plane crash that claimed the lives of a significant portion of the U.S. figure skating team. This latest tragedy has left many in the club echoing Zeghibe’s disbelief that “lightning can strike twice.”
As they prepare for the upcoming World Figure Skating Championships, scheduled to take place in March, the club faces a dual challenge—planning for a major event while managing the deep sorrow of the community. Notable alumni, including Nancy Kerrigan, have reached out to show solidarity and provide support during this trying time.
“We’re going to take it day by day, be there for our members as much as possible, and then figure out: How do we move forward?” said Zeghibe, emphasizing the importance of finding a path to healing amidst overwhelming grief.
The tragedy unfolded after the young skaters attended a High-Performance Camp following the US National Figure Skating Championships in Wichita, Kansas. Afterward, they boarded an American Airlines flight, which collided mid-air with a helicopter, resulting in the deaths of all 60 passengers on board, including their mothers and celebrated coaches Vadim Naumov and Evgenia Shishkova.
The atmosphere at the skating club is one of profound mourning. Club members spoke of the bright spirits of Han and Lane, with teammates highlighting how their joy and energy filled the rink. "They were just two sunshines that you get the energy from as soon as you see them," skater Alisa Efimova recalled. Coach Naumov, himself a champion alongside Shishkova, leaves behind a son, Maxim, who is also a talented skater.
The Skating Club of Boston has a history marked by both achievement and tragedy, recalling the 1961 plane crash that claimed the lives of a significant portion of the U.S. figure skating team. This latest tragedy has left many in the club echoing Zeghibe’s disbelief that “lightning can strike twice.”
As they prepare for the upcoming World Figure Skating Championships, scheduled to take place in March, the club faces a dual challenge—planning for a major event while managing the deep sorrow of the community. Notable alumni, including Nancy Kerrigan, have reached out to show solidarity and provide support during this trying time.
“We’re going to take it day by day, be there for our members as much as possible, and then figure out: How do we move forward?” said Zeghibe, emphasizing the importance of finding a path to healing amidst overwhelming grief.
