U.S. Figure Skating confirms that athletes, coaches, and family members were on American Airlines Flight 5342 that crashed in D.C.

[Wyliefan]

Melanie Heaney has some lovely photos up of Eddie Zhou and Alydia Livingston that she took at various competitions.

Melanie Heaney on Instagram: "In memory of Edward Zhou I was fortunate to be rinkside for some of Eddie's best skates, including a great short program at the Potomac Open last August (last photo). Over the years of photographing him, I had seen him

1,219 likes, 27 comments - mheaneyphoto on February 3, 2025: "In memory of Edward Zhou I was fortunate to be rinkside for some of Eddie's best skates, including a great short program at the Potomac Open last August (last photo). Over the years of photographing him, I had seen him grow into...

www.instagram.com

Instagram

www.instagram.com

 

[ice coverage]

"Holding Jinna and Jin Han in our Hearts and Memories" -- new GoFundMe created approx. two hours ago:

" ... This fund is dedicated to honoring their legacy and supporting their family and loved ones through this unimaginable time."​

Donate to Holding Jinna and Jin Han in our Hearts and Memories, organized by Eduardo Han

In loving memory of Jinna and Jinhee Han, who live on in our hearts a… Eduardo Han needs your support for Holding Jinna and Jin Han in our Hearts and Memories

www.gofundme.com

Organizer: Eduardo Han, Canton, MA

(I saw the link on Instastory of a skater from Skating Club of Boston.)

(ETA: And since then, have seen other SCOB members sharing it as well.)​

 

[HeatherC]

If I'm having trouble holding my emotions together just reading these articles or seeing the tributes, I cannot even imagine how horrible it is for all the families and friends who had personal relationships with all of the skating related people that were lost in the crash. I'm very glad that I didn't read that ESPN article until I was already home because it definitely hit me hard and made me cry all over again. I'm still so sad for all the friends and families left behind and for the skating community as a whole that has clearly been rocked to their core by these losses.

Thank you for posting all of the links to the fundraising efforts. I will definitely be making some donations this week.

 

[PRlady]

The ESPN article describes the skating culture so well. It’s great journalism and it also made me cry. The wounds here in DC -including people on the plane who were not skaters - are deep and it’s an awful, chaotic time here anyway.

 

[MacMadame]

I'm very glad that I didn't read that ESPN article until I was already home because it definitely hit me hard and made me cry all over again.

They did a great job. I do recommend not reading it if you are somewhere you need to see.

 

[Wyliefan]

I just read it. Such a wonderful tribute.

 

[Trillian]

If I'm having trouble holding my emotions together just reading these articles or seeing the tributes, I cannot even imagine how horrible it is for all the families and friends who had personal relationships with all of the skating related people that were lost in the crash.

I have a good friend whose child skates at one of the impacted rinks and they’ve shared the ice with some of the people who were on the flight almost daily for years. They weren’t super close to any of them because my friend’s child is a little younger and works with different coaches, but the loss is still devastating to everyone. The tragedy hits on a lot of levels, but one thing I keep thinking about is how many young kids at these rinks are coping with a loss so profound that even as adults it’s hard for us to process it.

I’ve been very glad to hear (both in online conversations and from my friend) that the individual clubs, USFS, etc., have done so much to support the skating community in the aftermath. These organizations might not get everything right all the time, but everything I’ve heard makes me think they’re doing an incredible job of caring for their skaters and families right now.

 

[Sylvia]

Tomorrow (Monday, Feb. 3) many clubs and ice rinks around the country will be holding a 5-minute vigil at 3:35-3:40 pm Eastern/2:35-2:40 Central/12:35-12:40 Pacific time - facing their rink's LiveBarn camera (if they have one) or sending in photos and/or video recordings from their rinks to USFS to be compiled into a montage video and shared more widely.

Just a sampling of rink tributes yesterday:

Ice House of Hackensack, NJ (1-minute video):

Ice House Hackensack on Instagram: "Yesterday our skaters, coaches and their families joined the skating community from rinks across the country to remember the victims of flight AA5342. 💔"

165 likes, 1 comments - icehousenj on February 4, 2025: "Yesterday our skaters, coaches and their families joined the skating community from rinks across the country to remember the victims of flight AA5342. 💔".

www.instagram.com

Oklahoma City FSC’s video:

Amanda Taylor on Instagram: "OKC sending love from the ice ❤️‍🩹 This is what happened as I watched from the stands. They all held hands and honored those killed in the DC plane crash. #figureskating #oklahoma #iceskating #planecrash @okcfigureskating

18K likes, 463 comments - amandataylornews9 on February 1, 2025: "OKC sending love from the ice ❤️‍🩹 This is what happened as I watched from the stands. They all held hands and honored those killed in the DC plane crash. #figureskating #oklahoma #iceskating #planecrash @okcfigureskating...

www.instagram.com

Detroit Skating Club:

Detroit Skating Club on Instagram: "Remembering those we’ve lost and sending love to our skating community - Flight 5342 - never forgotten ❤️⛸️"

540 likes, 3 comments - dscclub on February 3, 2025: "Remembering those we’ve lost and sending love to our skating community - Flight 5342 - never forgotten ❤️⛸️".

www.instagram.com

The red 2025 National Development Team jacket was Spencer Lane’s (he had traded jackets with another member of the club).

Arctic Edge in Canton, MI (acting USFS president Amanda Evora, who coaches at this rink, gave an emotional tribute speech; Charlie & Tanith can be seen standing with their hockey player son):

Arctic Edge Training Center on Instagram: "Today, AFSC, MIDA, and Canton High School Hockey joined rinks across the country in a moment of remembrance for the lives lost in the tragic crash of Flight #AA5342 last week. At 3:35 PM, ET, skaters at more

91 likes, 0 comments - arctic_edge_training_center on February 3, 2025: "Today, AFSC, MIDA, and Canton High School Hockey joined rinks across the country in a moment of remembrance for the lives lost in the tragic crash of Flight #AA5342 last week. At 3:35 PM, ET, skaters at more than 100 rinks...

www.instagram.com

Full 10+ minute video of the tribute can be watched here: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DFoBTeRsb4j/

SC of New York at Wollmann rink in Central Park:

The Skating Club of New York on Instagram: "The SCNY community gathered tonight at Wollman Rink to pay tribute to and honor the 28 members of the US Figure Skating family who perished on American Airlines Flight 5342"

1,417 likes, 4 comments - skatingclubofny on February 3, 2025: "The SCNY community gathered tonight at Wollman Rink to pay tribute to and honor the 28 members of the US Figure Skating family who perished on American Airlines Flight 5342".

www.instagram.com

Kaitlyn Weaver was there: https://www.instagram.com/p/DFoP8Tiyu8E/

Elite Training Team (Mathew Gates’ group) near Charlotte, North Carolina:

KIRSANOV LEGACY on Instagram: "Remembering Flight 5342. Today, we stand together as a community, honoring the lives lost and supporting those forever changed. In grief, we found strength. In remembrance, we find unity. Though time moves forward, thei

175 likes, 2 comments - kirsanovlegacy on February 3, 2025: "Remembering Flight 5342. Today, we stand together as a community, honoring the lives lost and supporting those forever changed. In grief, we found strength. In remembrance, we find unity. Though time moves forward, their memory...

www.instagram.com

Nashville FSC:

Figure Skaters Online on Instagram: "Team FSO’s @maura.sullivan.hill , who is also a coach at the @nashvilleskating, sent us photos of the Nashville Skating Academy gathering for a moment of silence to remember the 28 members of the figure skating co

112 likes, 0 comments - figureskatersonline on February 3, 2025: "Team FSO’s @maura.sullivan.hill , who is also a coach at the @nashvilleskating, sent us photos of the Nashville Skating Academy gathering for a moment of silence to remember the 28 members of the figure skating community that we...

www.instagram.com

Go4Gold Skating Academy in Shakopee, MN:

Go4Gold Skating Academy on Instagram: "Yesterday we held a moment of silence at 2:35 CT for the lives lost on flight 5342. We are heartbroken and mourning with the entire figure skating community and our sincerest thoughts and prayers are with the fa

468 likes, 6 comments - go4goldskatingacademy on February 4, 2025: "Yesterday we held a moment of silence at 2:35 CT for the lives lost on flight 5342. We are heartbroken and mourning with the entire figure skating community and our sincerest thoughts and prayers are with the families of those...

www.instagram.com

Ten80 team at Great Park Ice in Irvine, CA:

𝐒𝐞𝐚𝐧 𝐑𝐚𝐛𝐛𝐢𝐭𝐭 on Instagram: "We stood together today in a moment of silence, honoring the friends, athletes, and colleagues we lost on Flight 5342. The figure skating world is more than just a community—it’s a family. When one of us falls, we all feel

1,205 likes, 15 comments - seanrabbitt on February 3, 2025: "We stood together today in a moment of silence, honoring the friends, athletes, and colleagues we lost on Flight 5342. The figure skating world is more than just a community—it’s a family. When one of us falls, we all feel it. But when...

www.instagram.com

Oakland, CA Ice Center & Sharks Ice San Jose:

Oakland Ice Center on Instagram: "Today, the Oakland Ice Center and Sharks Ice San Jose joined rinks across the country in a moment of remembrance for the lives lost in the tragic crash of Flight AA5342 last week. We will always hold a special place

282 likes, 0 comments - oic_sharksice on February 3, 2025: "Today, the Oakland Ice Center and Sharks Ice San Jose joined rinks across the country in a moment of remembrance for the lives lost in the tragic crash of Flight AA5342 last week. We will always hold a special place in our hearts for...

www.instagram.com

Gloucester Skating Club (Orleans, Ontario, Canada):

Gloucester Skating Club on Instagram: "The GSC Competitive Team skaters gather here today for a Memorial Vigil In memory of Flight AA5342 We will take this time to observe a moment of silence in loving memory of the incredible skaters, coaches and f

198 likes, 0 comments - gloucesterskatingclub on February 3, 2025: "The GSC Competitive Team skaters gather here today for a Memorial Vigil In memory of Flight AA5342 We will take this time to observe a moment of silence in loving memory of the incredible skaters, coaches and families who are...

www.instagram.com

Last night's vigil held at the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum in Colorado Springs, CO (Amber Glenn & Danny O'Shea in photo #7):

U.S. Figure Skating on Instagram: "The love and support of the skating world is strong. ❤️⛸️ The Colorado Springs community came together to honor the 28 athletes, coaches and family members we lost in the tragic crash on Jan. 29. Thank you to the

17K likes, 82 comments - usfigureskating on February 3, 2025: "The love and support of the skating world is strong. ❤️⛸️ The Colorado Springs community came together to honor the 28 athletes, coaches and family members we lost in the tragic crash on Jan. 29. Thank you to the @usopmuseum for...

www.instagram.com

 

[Sylvia]

Today USFS shared 17 photos & 1 clip from rinks’ tributes yesterday around the country ("Overwhelmed by the love shown by clubs across the country as they came together yesterday to observe a moment of silence in honor of the 28 lives we lost far too soon. "):

U.S. Figure Skating on Instagram: "Overwhelmed by the love shown by clubs across the country as they came together yesterday to observe a moment of silence in honor of the 28 lives we lost far too soon. ❤️⛸️ Thank you to @livebarnsports for giving o

28K likes, 156 comments - usfigureskating on February 4, 2025: "Overwhelmed by the love shown by clubs across the country as they came together yesterday to observe a moment of silence in honor of the 28 lives we lost far too soon. ❤️⛸️ Thank you to @livebarnsports for giving our clubs a...

www.instagram.com

Ashburn (Virginia) Ice House held a private memorial service on Sunday morning (choreographer Jimmie Manners spoke on camera about the Livingston girls and Inna V. in this local news report):

Memorial held for skaters, family of Ashburn Ice House killed in Potomac crash

A private memorial was held at the Ashburn Ice House Sunday morning to honor the victims of the Potomac River crash. Fourteen people with ties to that ice skating rink were on the American Airlines flight. “Even though everybody is still majorly devastated, it’s a lot of love,” Choreographer...

www.nbcwashington.com

Ashburn Ice House has shared 6 photos:

Ashburn Ice House on Instagram: "Today we gathered as a community to mourn, remember, and celebrate those we lost in Flight 5342. Their presence will continue to be felt at our #homerink."

4,139 likes, 42 comments - ashburnicehouseva on February 2, 2025: "Today we gathered as a community to mourn, remember, and celebrate those we lost in Flight 5342. Their presence will continue to be felt at our #homerink.".

www.instagram.com

Awwww:

Wagging_Warriors on Instagram: "Our therapy dog teams attended the Candlelight skate at Ashburn Ice House this morning and Medstar Captials Iceplex this evening, as we continue to be there for all the families, who are so dear to our hearts."

75 likes, 0 comments - wagging_warriors on February 2, 2025: "Our therapy dog teams attended the Candlelight skate at Ashburn Ice House this morning and Medstar Captials Iceplex this evening, as we continue to be there for all the families, who are so dear to our hearts.".

www.instagram.com

OBITUARY for Inna Volyanskaya (July 5, 1965 – January 29, 2025):

https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/falls-church-va/inna-volyanskaya-12225118

She is survived by her devoted husband, Jeremy Brent Wilson; beloved daughter, Masha Spiridonova; stepson, Keagan Eduardo Wilson; father, Vitaly Volyansky; mother, Larisa Volyanskaya; sister, Olga Raskatov; brother-in-law, Artem Raskatov; niece, Angelina Stapelmann; nephew-in-law, Niclas Stapelmann; and nephew, Alan Raskatov. [...]
A visitation for Inna will be held Friday, February 7, 2025 from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM at National Funeral Home, 7482 Lee Highway, Falls Church, VA 22042.

 

[Lanie]

I was going to go to the Elite Training Team memorial but I’m still not allowed on the ice. (My stupid knee.)

 

[WOULDACOULDARETURNS]

I attended a vigil in West Hartford, CT yesterday. A friend and her daughter attended the camp, but connected in Chicago that evening. The family attended the vigil.
Such a tragedy.

 

[overedge]

I saw on Facebook that Richard Dywer, "Mr Debonaire", attended the session at Pickwick arena in LA that observed the minute of silence. Given his long history in the sport (he competed against Dick Button) that was very thoughtful of him to be there.

 

[Barbara Manatee]

The authorities say that all of the victims have been recovered and identified now. Thank goodness, what a relief for their families.

 

[ice coverage]

"Holding Jinna and Jin Han in our Hearts and Memories" -- new GoFundMe created approx. two hours ago:

" ... This fund is dedicated to honoring their legacy and supporting their family and loved ones through this unimaginable time."​

Donate to Holding Jinna and Jin Han in our Hearts and Memories, organized by Eduardo Han

In loving memory of Jinna and Jinhee Han, who live on in our hearts a… Eduardo Han needs your support for Holding Jinna and Jin Han in our Hearts and Memories

www.gofundme.com

Organizer: Eduardo Han, Canton, MA

(I saw the link on Instastory of a skater from Skating Club of Boston.)

(ETA: And since then, have seen other SCOB members sharing it as well.)​

"Support the Family of Edward Zhou and his Parents" -- another new GoFundMe, created approx. eleven hours ago:

From the GFM organizer:
" ... Eddie was my son's training partner in 2017 when the boys were both 9 years old and just getting started in competitive figure skating. I spent countless hours with Kaiyan and Joe watching our boys skate together from rinkside. Eddie's gifts were easy to see ...
Eddie was more than a figure skater though. He had a gift for learning Spanish and a reputation at school as a respectful and beloved classmate and friend to all who knew him at Woodson High School.
... the extended family, including Eddie's aging grandparents, are now inconsolable. They are grappling with the unthinkable loss of their grandson, beloved daughter, and son-in-law.
This campaign is dedicated to supporting the extended Zhou family with essential expenses and the family also hopes to establish a memorial scholarship in Eddie's honor. Every donation we receive will offer comfort and relief to the Zhou family. ..."

Donate to Support the Family of Edward Zhou and Parents, organized by Brian McMurry

My name is Brian McMurry. My wife, my son, and I are devastated beyond wor… Brian McMurry needs your support for Support the Family of Edward Zhou and Parents

www.gofundme.com

 

[Sylvia]

ICYMI - here again is this gifted article link from last week on the Zhou family (thank you so much for sharing, @zebobes!) - by Amy Qin who "writes about Asian American communities for The Times" and Juliet Macur who previously covered figure skating and "often writes about America through the lens of sports":

The NY Times has been writing beautiful pieces in memory of the families.

My heart goes out to Mr. Strid, I can’t imagine the shock of losing three of his students all in one go.

A Boy, His Parents and a Sudden Void in Fairfax

Kaiyan Mao and Yu Zhou “were always there” as their son pursued his figure skating dreams. On Wednesday, the family flew together from Wichita to Washington.

www.nytimes.com

Coach Kalle Strid spoke to Jake Tapper yesterday about Zhou, Cory Haynos and Brielle Beyer:
https://www.cnn.com/2025/02/03/us/v...e-crash-victims-ice-skating-coach-jake-tapper

Kaitlan Collins couldn't hold back her tears yesterday while talking to Andy Beyer, who lost his daughter Brielle and wife Justyna, and was at the airport that night with his 6-year-old son: https://www.cnn.com/2025/02/03/us/video/andy-beyer-dc-crash-kaitlan-collins-src-digvid

Last night's vigil held at the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum in Colorado Springs, CO (Amber Glenn & Danny O'Shea are in photo #7): https://www.instagram.com/p/DFownB3Jo6e/

More photos from last night's Colorado Springs vigil are in this article:

Colorado Springs figure skating community remembers those who died in D.C. plane crash

Mourners filled the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum to remember the 28 athletes, coaches and family members who died.

www.cpr.org

Excerpts:

“It makes me really grateful to have the opportunity to still skate, especially with the parents being lost,” said Victoria Alcantara, a 19-year-old who has been training in Colorado Springs since the summer and is originally from Australia.
“It made me think about how much [parents] sacrificed for us, and every skater should be super grateful that they’re still here. And how quickly life can go and how much we have to cherish those around us,” Alcantara added through tears.

Their extended stay in Wichita included a camp experience with drills, and time to train together and inspire one another, said Justin Dillon, senior director of athlete high performance for U.S. Figure Skating.
“The energy, excitement and joy was felt by everyone,” Dillon said during the vigil in Colorado Springs. “The only thing we heard throughout the camp… was that it was not long enough. These athletes loved to skate.”
Christy Krall, who competed in the 1964 Winter Olympics, compared the feeling of sorrow among the figure skating community to the pain following a 1961 plane crash that killed the U.S. Figure Skating team in Belgium.
“It’s the same gut-wrenching stomach ache, tight throat,” Krall said Monday.
Krall was 13 years old then, and lost 10 people out of her Colorado Springs rink, including her coach.

 

[bardtoob]

Christy Krall, who competed in the 1964 Winter Olympics, compared the feeling of sorrow among the figure skating community to the pain following a 1961 plane crash that killed the U.S. Figure Skating team in Belgium.
“It’s the same gut-wrenching stomach ache, tight throat,” Krall said Monday.
Krall was 13 years old then, and lost 10 people out of her Colorado Springs rink, including her coach.

This is the first time I heard of Christy Krall (Christine Haigler) speaking of the 1961 crash, although I knew she was on the 1964 Olympic Team

 

[flyingsit]

Am I the only one who can’t bring myself to watch any of the video interviews? Reading the articles is all I can handle.

 

[Karen-W]

Am I the only one who can’t bring myself to watch any of the video interviews? Reading the articles is all I can handle.

I've watched some, but not all. I've cried every day reading the articles and tributes that people are sharing.

 

[victorskid]

From today's Boston Globe -
"
On Wednesday morning, a group of the sport’s best and brightest announced a tribute show to to benefit the families of all 67 victims of the crash, which included six from The Skating Club of Boston in Norwood.

Monumental Sports & Entertainment and US Figure Skating are joining with producer Michael Burg to organize the show, which will be held March 2 at Washington’s Capital One Arena.

The event, fueled by in-kind donations by the groups involved, will benefit the individual families, the Greater Washington Community Foundation’s “DCA Together Relief Fund,” and the DC Fire & EMS Foundation."

US Figure Skating to host tribute show benefiting families of victims of D.C. plane crash - The Boston Globe

The event will benefit the individual families, the Greater Washington Community Foundation’s “DCA Together Relief Fund,” and the DC Fire & EMS Foundation.

www.bostonglobe.com

 

[ice coverage]

... Monumental Sports & Entertainment and US Figure Skating are joining with producer Michael Burg to organize the show, which will be held March 2 at Washington’s Capital One Arena.

The event, fueled by in-kind donations by the groups involved, will benefit the individual families, the Greater Washington Community Foundation’s “DCA Together Relief Fund,” and the DC Fire & EMS Foundation."

US Figure Skating to host tribute show benefiting families of victims of D.C. plane crash - The Boston Globe

The event will benefit the individual families, the Greater Washington Community Foundation’s “DCA Together Relief Fund,” and the DC Fire & EMS Foundation.

www.bostonglobe.com

Today's press release from Monumental Sports & Entertainment (excerpts below):

“Legacy on Ice” Benefit at Capital One Arena to Support Victims of the Tragedy at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport - Monumental Sports

Co-Hosted by Olympic Champion Brian Boitano, the event will feature skating superstars Ilia Malinin, Amber Glenn, Alysa Liu, Madison Chock and Evan Bates and more Washington, D.C. (Wednesday, February 5, 2025) – Monumental Sports & Entertainment, Entertainment Gang, and U.S. Figure Skating today...

monumentalsports.com

“Legacy on Ice” Benefit at Capital One Arena to Support Victims of the Tragedy at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport

The event will be co-hosted by 1988 Olympic champion Brian Boitano and will include:
Ilia Malinin ... Amber Glenn ... Madison Chock & Evan Bates ... Alysa Liu ... Tara Lipinski ... Kristi Yamaguchi ... Scott Hamilton ... Johnny Weir … And many more to be announced.

This event is made possible through in-kind contributions. Monumental Sports & Entertainment is donating all services and event costs. For those interested in contributing directly, please visit: www.MonumentalSports.com/LegacyOnIce

Event Details

Date: Sunday, March 2, 2025
Time: 3:00pm – 5:00pm ET
Location: Capital One Arena, 601 F Street, NW, Washington, D.C.
Participating groups to honor the families of the fallen and the first responders:

Members of the Men’s, Women’s, Ice Dance and Pairs US National Figure Skating Teams
Figure Skating Legends and Icons
Members of DMV Skating Clubs
Members of the Skating Club of Boston
NHL’s Washington Capitals
NBA’s Washington Wizards
WNBA’s Washington Mystics
NBA G League’s Capital City Go-Go
MLB’s Washington Nationals
MLS’ D.C. United
NFL’s Washington Commanders
NWSL’s Washington Spirit​

Additional event dynamics will be announced once confirmed.

Tickets

Tickets will go on sale starting Monday, February 10th at 10:00am ET on the Ticketmaster website for Capital One Arena. Ticketmaster, official partner of Capital One Arena, has agreed to waive all ticketing fees for this event. ...
Supporters will also have the ability to make tax deductible donations directly to a joint fund supporting the participating causes through the Monumental Sports & Entertainment Foundation. To contribute, please visit: www.MonumentalSports.com/LegacyOnIce.

 

[Karen-W]

It would be really wonderful if the performing artists whose music is used by the skaters exhibitions would be willing to allow their music to be used without copyright restriction to allow for a paid stream. I would certainly donate $5 or $10 to watch a live stream.

 

[Sylvia]

I've just created a separate thread for the "Legacy on Ice" show (ETA - and have since re-posted the currently known GFM links for the figure skating families): https://www.fsuniverse.net/forum/th...he-air-tragedy-over-the-potomac-river.112625/

 

[Sylvia]

I saw on Facebook that Richard Dywer, "Mr Debonaire", attended the session at Pickwick arena in LA that observed the minute of silence. Given his long history in the sport (he competed against Dick Button) that was very thoughtful of him to be there.

I saw Richard Dwyer at Wichita Nationals and he was looking very spry at 89 years old!
Thanks for posting - I found Mr. Debonair's photo (#10 of 10) in this Instagram post about the Los Angeles FSC's Monday vigil at the Pickwick Ice Arena in Burbank, CA: https://www.instagram.com/p/DFoG0Svpjd2/

This is the first time I heard of Christy Krall (Christine Haigler) speaking of the 1961 crash, although I knew she was on the 1964 Olympic Team

Krall was interviewed for Patricia Shelley Bushman's 2010 book Indelible Tracings about the 1961 plane crash: https://www.usfigureskating.org/news/article/author-shares-details-writing-indelible-tracings

Besides culling information from the museum, I had my first interview with Christy Haigler Krall. I chose Christy because she knew a lot of the team members and would have many stories, but also because I was nervous starting out and I knew she would be kind. She was the perfect first interview.

2002 Olympic gold medalist Sarah Hughes has written this piece for Time - A Plane Crash Devastates The Figure Skating Community—Again (Feb. 4) that includes a short video excerpt from the Jan. 30th press conference at the Skating Club of Boston with Nancy Kerrigan, Paul George and Dr. Tenley Albright:

A Plane Crash Devastates The Figure Skating Community—Again

Sarah Hughes explains how the plane crash near Washington DC has impacted the tight-knit figure skating community.

time.com

An excerpt that rings especially true for me:

The camp, held in conjunction with the National Championships, gives young skaters quality time together through on-ice practices and classes off the ice related to being an elite athlete. As many who participated in sports as a young person can attest, you may remember practices, but years later, the most vivid memories are the shared bus rides, laughing over pizza dinners, or getting together to watch a movie. These are the kinds of memories the kids were forming.
This joy is part of why it is so hard to grasp the extent of this tragedy. I went to the highest competitive level in skating, and when I think back on my fondest memories, many are from that stage of my career—when I got a glimpse of the mountain and established bonds that have lasted a lifetime. The skating friends I made during this time and I could not have been more excited to embark on the adventure ahead of us. I qualified for my first National Championships when I was 12-years-old, around the same age of some of the skaters at the camp, and getting to watch the skaters I saw on TV perform, walking around the same hotel they were, riding in the same elevators, getting to be part of the competitions I aspired to be in—it was the greatest feeling I could imagine. These kinds of “firsts”—the first sectionals, the first chance at an international competition, —are what these kids were experiencing together. For these young lives to have been cut short just as they were experiencing these firsts seems unfathomable. My thoughts are with everyone grieving this tragedy.
Outsiders might see the DC crash and understand that figure skating may have lost a future Olympic Champion. But the skating community knows it’s so much more than that. What makes our sport special is the people—our friends, relationships, and shared experiences. Now, for many, memories of an indelible time in their lives has forever changed.

 

[MacMadame]

Am I the only one who can’t bring myself to watch any of the video interviews? Reading the articles is all I can handle.

I can't even read all the articles. That ESPN one was particularly hard (probably because they did such a good job of understanding the skating community and communicating it).

 

[ignosk8er]

2002 Olympic gold medalist Sarah Hughes has written this piece for Time - A Plane Crash Devastates The Figure Skating Community—Again (Feb. 4) that includes a short video excerpt from the Jan. 30th press conference at the Skating Club of Boston with Nancy Kerrigan, Paul George and Dr. Tenley Albright:

A Plane Crash Devastates The Figure Skating Community—Again

Sarah Hughes explains how the plane crash near Washington DC has impacted the tight-knit figure skating community.

time.com

An excerpt that rings especially true for me:

De-lurking to thank you for sharing Sarah's description of the close-knit connections that form among competitors, even at very young ages.

I competed in synchro (sorry, artistic swimming). I reached only higher-level regional placements before I quit, but I made friends who I still love and share my life with - from 60 years ago.

Sarah's explanation of the deep devastation among the FS community hits, hard.

Thanks for all you do, Sylvia.

 

[mtnskater]

Tuesday morning is my adult skaters “coffee club” skating session at my rink. The session is for all adults who like to skate at all levels, including hockey skaters. We’ve been skating together for several years and have developed camraderie and community. At the end of the session, the skating director came out on the ice and we all formed a circle, held hands and observed a minute of silence at center ice. A few of us said words of support and remembrance. It was really lovely. I felt a release of emotions that had been bottled up for days. What a beautiful moment that brought us all together in common spirit. I’ll always remember it.

 

[Karina1974]

This is the first time I heard of Christy Krall (Christine Haigler) speaking of the 1961 crash, although I knew she was on the 1964 Olympic Team

Something I read on the Newsweek website today.

I was supposed to be on the 1961 flight that killed the U.S. skating team

Although I left skating, skating never left me.

www.newsweek.com

 

[Sylvia]

@bardtoob I just came across Brent Briggeman's 2021 article that was re-published in the Colorado Springs Gazette on Jan. 30, 2025 & updated on Feb. 3 -- following last Wednesday's plane/helicopter crash into the Potomac River -- that quoted Christy Krall extensively:

U.S. Figure Skating - remembering the team that perished in 1961 plane crash: From the archives

On Monday, at exactly 10:05 local time, the Belgium village of Berg-Kampenhout will inaugurate a new monument in remembrance of the 1961 crash including the U.S. figure skating team, which

gazette.com

Excerpt from the beginning:

Here is The Gazette's look-back coverage from 2021 — 60 years after the crash.
The tone of her father's voice remains seared in Christy Krall's memory, even after 60 years.
“’What do you mean there’s been a big fire?’” the then-13-year-old Christy heard her father tersely ask during a 4 a.m. phone call to their Colorado Springs home Feb. 15, 1961. “'What do you mean they’re all gone?’”
“I sat up in bed instantly and knew something terrible had happened.”
Just two weeks earlier, the U.S. Figure Skating Championships had taken place at The Broadmoor. Krall had trained there with some of the nation’s top skaters and was herself an emerging force in the sport at the junior level. But to absorb this collection of talent in her home arena was awe inspiring.
“Oh my gosh, these were our heroes,” Krall said. “These were the people we wanted to be like. These were the most amazing athletes in the United States.”
Then, they were gone.

 

[Sylvia]

Melanie Heaney has some lovely photos up of Eddie Zhou and Alydia Livingston that she took at various competitions.

Melanie Heaney on Instagram: "In memory of Edward Zhou I was fortunate to be rinkside for some of Eddie's best skates, including a great short program at the Potomac Open last August (last photo). Over the years of photographing him, I had seen him

1,219 likes, 27 comments - mheaneyphoto on February 3, 2025: "In memory of Edward Zhou I was fortunate to be rinkside for some of Eddie's best skates, including a great short program at the Potomac Open last August (last photo). Over the years of photographing him, I had seen him grow into...

www.instagram.com

Instagram

www.instagram.com

Note: Heaney's photos of Alydia in the 2nd link were compiled into a video by Katrina Shalin who coaches at the Ashburn Ice House (her video documenting some of the tributes (flowers, stuffed animals, photos, drawings, etc.) left at the rink):

T H E D A N C E E D G E on Instagram: "Our home rink and the home rinks of these skaters and coaches will never be the same. Thank you to everyone in the community for lifting us up so we can skate forward. ❤️‍🩹🕊️ #AA5342"

321 likes, 6 comments - the_dance_edge on February 5, 2025: "Our home rink and the home rinks of these skaters and coaches will never be the same. Thank you to everyone in the community for lifting us up so we can skate forward. ❤️‍🩹🕊️ #AA5342".

www.instagram.com

Melanie Heaney continues her beautiful photo tribute series:

Brielle Beyer (photo #3 of 6 is with her surviving coach, Kalle Strid):

Melanie Heaney on Instagram: "In memory of Brielle Beyer Brielle also had some great skates at Potomac Open, including this past August (last photo for her post-skate reaction). Something about the Ashburn Ice House! She landed a clean triple Salcho

934 likes, 17 comments - mheaneyphoto on February 3, 2025: "In memory of Brielle Beyer Brielle also had some great skates at Potomac Open, including this past August (last photo for her post-skate reaction). Something about the Ashburn Ice House! She landed a clean triple Salchow at that event...

www.instagram.com

Franco Aparicio (6 photos):

Melanie Heaney on Instagram: "In memory of Franco Aparicio Franco was a beautiful skater with a transition game well beyond his years. He was already showing off his flexibility and attention to detail when I first photographed him in 2021. He was o

760 likes, 24 comments - mheaneyphoto on February 4, 2025: "In memory of Franco Aparicio Franco was a beautiful skater with a transition game well beyond his years. He was already showing off his flexibility and attention to detail when I first photographed him in 2021. He was only at the...

www.instagram.com

 

[marshallpond]

Brielle's dad has been posting various videos of Brielle's skating through the years in a Facebook skating parents group as "it is helping me to know her joy for skating is remembered." Just heartbreaking.

Here's the Washington Post article about Brielle and her family https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2025/02/01/ice-skating-dca-plane-crash-virginia-family/