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

[dewey]

I'm reading the tributes on the Instagram page of The Skaing Lesson and what really gets to me is how many families have been torn apart. Just heartbreaking.

Yes, this is the hardest part

 

[dewey]

My heart goes out to Emily. I called her when I couldn't get hold of Stephanie or Roger, and her cries were just heartbreaking. She has not arrived in VA yet but will be traveling soon.

Sam Auxier said that USFS is creating a relief fund and it should be up and running in the next 12 hours. This will be for the surviving families.

I hope they also expand the Memorial Fund to accept contributions in honor of these skaters.

 

[flyingsit]

I hope USFS is looking for volunteers to help kids who have lost their parents with legal/administrative stuff in addition to $$.

 

[Simone411]

This is also from my other local news station, KTAL Channel 6.

Figure skating legend Oksana Baiul says D.C. crash victims will be ‘missed dearly’

Baiul said when the names started being released she realized she knew some of them, because as she says the skating world is a tight-knit family.

www.ktalnews.com

SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS) – Olympic gold medalist Oksana Baiul said she was stunned to learn of the mid-air collision between a passenger jet and an Army Black Hawk helicopter over the Potomac River in Washington, D.C.

Baiul said when the names started being released she realized she knew some of them, because as she says the skating world is a tight-knit family.

She said, “We are a big skating family, and sometimes people have to understand when you’re getting ready and you are at the national level or Olympic level or any level, it takes so much dedication and so much work and these people, I mean they are going to be missed, dearly.”

 

[overedge]

I hope USFS is looking for volunteers to help kids who have lost their parents with legal/administrative stuff in addition to $$.

This is an excellent idea. Anyone who has had to deal with an estate, even with time to prepare for it, knows how much work it is and how overwhelming it can be.

 

[marshallpond]

This is an excellent idea. Anyone who has had to deal with an estate, even with time to prepare for it, knows how much work it is and how overwhelming it can be.

This is so tough especially if the only remaining family member is young, to be pushed to this. Having gone through this, my heart breaks just thinking about it.

Extreme Ice Center in Indian Trail, NC is organizing a memorial vigil, planned for February 3 from 3:35-3:40 pm EST. Skaters will face the LiveBarn camera in hopes that those who mourn know that they are not alone. The goal is to get as many rinks to join as possible. I've seen Wichita Ice Center, where the camp was held, say they are joining this vigil.

 

[BittyBug]

I hope they also expand the Memorial Fund to accept contributions in honor of these skaters.

I'm not sure what you mean here, but while the Memorial Fund was started in response to the 1961 crash, donations to the fund can be made in anyone's honor. Are you thinking of a segregated fund so the amount of money could be tracked?

 

[marshallpond]

US Figure Skating and the U.S. Olympic Committee had a zoom call with skaters and parents last night and will have another one today at noon. They have mental health providers and the sports psychology teams on the call, answering kids' and parents' questions about grieving, what can be done, dealing with survivor guilt, how to move on from this, fear of flying to competitions, etc. They also provided mental health resources and counseling that skaters can use.

 

[Theatregirl1122]

Sounds like USFSA is doing crisis response well. For a situation this large, I would guess they may have contracted a team that specializes in crisis response? I assume they don't just have a team.

 

[marshallpond]

Sounds like USFSA is doing crisis response well. For a situation this large, I would guess they may have contracted a team that specializes in crisis response? I assume they don't just have a team.

I would assume so. I know that U.S. Olympic Committee is helping out.

They also handle media inquiries and interview requests, directing skaters to a single point of contact. Their media team is also providing talking points and best practices to skaters and even getting on a call with skaters so they know what to say prior to being interviewed by the media.

 

[Barbara Manatee]

I think the families are going to need long-term legal help, beyond the scope of volunteers. But maybe the USFS can help them find good representation and avoid the vultures.

 

[flyingsit]

For all the shit-talking we do here about USFS, it seems as if they are really stepping up and providing tangible support.

 

[Theatregirl1122]

wrong thread

 

[marshallpond]

I think the families are going to need long-term legal help, beyond the scope of volunteers. But maybe the USFS can help them find good representation and avoid the vultures.

Sam Auxier just responded and he said they are working on a list for legal referrals to help skaters and their families.

 

[Lanie]

I've been thinking of everyone at USFS and how wrecked they must be. They love these kids, they love the sport. Thanks for sharing @marshallpond .

 

[MacMadame]

For all the shit-talking we do here about USFS, it seems as if they are really stepping up and providing tangible support.

Yeah, they are on top of this, thank goodness.

 

[Sarah]

A memorial service for Sasha, Sean, and Angela will be held at Fred Rust Ice Arena at the University of Delaware on Sunday at 10am (and on zoom) for those interested.

UD Figure Skating Club Team on Instagram: "A memorial service will be held on Sunday 2/2 honoring Sasha, Sean and Angela at 10 am EST. If you would like to attend, it is at the Fred Rust Ice Arena and there will be a table available for cards, flower

1,497 likes, 15 comments - udfigureskating on January 31, 2025: "A memorial service will be held on Sunday 2/2 honoring Sasha, Sean and Angela at 10 am EST. If you would like to attend, it is at the Fred Rust Ice Arena and there will be a table available for cards, flowers & candles. If you are...

www.instagram.com

 

[Sylvia]

Two of the most touching & eloquent posts on social media that I've seen so far - from Meryl Davis (made a screenshot of her now expired Instagram story & shared via my X account) - I've copied out her words in full below for posterity (ETA that her first paragraph doesn't show up unless you click on my post):

https://twitter.com/x/status/1885041680207728711

The US Championships are always the most magical time of year for our community. We come together to celebrate hard work, passion, and dedication.We come together for the love of the sport and the way that it uniquely bonds us as a skating family. From the youngest to the most seasoned, those on the ice and in the stands, there's a connectivity at Nationals that has been felt to be understood.

My heart is shattered thinking of those sweet young souls whose lives were cut so cruelly short, still buzzing from the magic of development camp in Wichita and full of hopes and dreams for the future. Proud parents who have sacrificed so much, tired and eager to get home. The coaches who have dedicated their lives to guiding and nurturing young athletes. And for those who have dedicated their lives to guiding and nurturing young athletes. And for those waiting at home with a warm hug, excited to hear all about it.

An unspeakable loss for our skating family and beyond.


And today from Yebin Mok, who was invited by USFS to teach at their National Development Team Camp for the first time (I was thrilled to run into her in Wichita and she posed for a lovely photo for me in the concourse https://x.com/SylviaUnseen/status/1885395747794825483):

View this content on Instagram

View this content on Instagram

 

[crzesk8dad]

News report regarding the fallen skaters, on KTLA5 10 pm news last night. Andrew Torgashev is interviewed at Great Park Ice in Irvine. No GPI skaters, family or coaches were killed. I think was just to provide local info.

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[livetoskate]

Coach and past national competitor from Boston Jason Wong was interviewed by local media:

https://www.wnct.com/news/figure-skating-coach-in-raleigh-knew-victims-of-deadly-dc-plane-crash/

 

[Karen-W]

Scott Hamilton was on The Today Show this morning, speaking about Shishkova & Naumov. The anguish in his voice is palpable.

TODAY on Instagram: "Olympic gold medalist Scott Hamilton remembers his friends, Russian figure skating champions Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov, who were onboard the American Eagle flight that collided with an Army helicopter on Jan. 29 near Was

4,782 likes, 124 comments - todayshow on January 31, 2025: "Olympic gold medalist Scott Hamilton remembers his friends, Russian figure skating champions Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov, who were onboard the American Eagle flight that collided with an Army helicopter on Jan. 29 near...

www.instagram.com

 

[livetoskate]

This article tells more about Sean Kay and his family. His mother Yulia was also on the flight. There's a gofundme for his family.

Delaware ice skater's mother confirmed to be on flight with son during DC plane crash

Yulia Kay had accompanied her son, Sean Kay, his partner Angela Yang, and their coach, Alexandr "Sasha" Kirsanov to the Kansas skating event.

www.delawareonline.com

 

[livetoskate]

Nick LaRoche was interviewed in this article about Sasha Kirsanov. There's also a Gofundme for his wife and daughter.

'Big, bright smile': Gardner man recalls skater Alexandr Kirsanov, a DC plane crash victim

A Gardner man is remembering his friend Alexandr Kirsanov, who was killed in the collision between American Airlines 5342 and a helicopter Wednesday.

www.thegardnernews.com

 

[genevieve]

I went and looked at the TSL tributes on IG. I have not been a fan of Dave Lease but he is doing a very nice job. So hard to see all these young skaters

 

[Debbie S]

Just got an email that the Ion Arena in Leesburg, VA (training center for Novak/Kiliakov dance group, among others) is having a "community support gathering" at 11 am tomorrow. I don't see anything about it on Wash FSC website so I think it's being organized by the rink, not the club.

 

[sk8pics]

A memorial service for Sasha, Sean, and Angela will be held at Fred Rust Ice Arena at the University of Delaware on Sunday at 10am (and on zoom) for those interested.

UD Figure Skating Club Team on Instagram: "A memorial service will be held on Sunday 2/2 honoring Sasha, Sean and Angela at 10 am EST. If you would like to attend, it is at the Fred Rust Ice Arena and there will be a table available for cards, flower

1,497 likes, 15 comments - udfigureskating on January 31, 2025: "A memorial service will be held on Sunday 2/2 honoring Sasha, Sean and Angela at 10 am EST. If you would like to attend, it is at the Fred Rust Ice Arena and there will be a table available for cards, flowers & candles. If you are...

www.instagram.com

Thanks Sarah. I figured there would be something.

 

[DreamSkates]

Ilia being interviewed for this feel so wrong and ghoulish, I feel for him, I can't imagine it is easy when you are grieving.

He could have declined but was trying to help others in responding.

 

[DreamSkates]

Dave is really doing great work with these tributes. He’s running circles around major media.

He has an inside track that they lack.

 

[IHH0628]

Two of the most touching & eloquent posts on social media that I've seen so far - from Meryl Davis (made a screenshot of her now expired Instagram story & shared via my X account) - I've copied out her words in full below for posterity (ETA that her first paragraph doesn't show up unless you click on my post):

https://twitter.com/x/status/1885041680207728711

The US Championships are always the most magical time of year for our community. We come together to celebrate hard work, passion, and dedication.We come together for the love of the sport and the way that it uniquely bonds us as a skating family. From the youngest to the most seasoned, those on the ice and in the stands, there's a connectivity at Nationals that has been felt to be understood.

My heart is shattered thinking of those sweet young souls whose lives were cut so cruelly short, still buzzing from the magic of development camp in Wichita and full of hopes and dreams for the future. Proud parents who have sacrificed so much, tired and eager to get home. The coaches who have dedicated their lives to guiding and nurturing young athletes. And for those who have dedicated their lives to guiding and nurturing young athletes. And for those waiting at home with a warm hug, excited to hear all about it.

An unspeakable loss for our skating family and beyond.


And today from Yebin Mok, who was invited by USFS to teach at their National Development Team Camp for the first time (I was thrilled to run into her in Wichita and she posed for a lovely photo for me in the concourse https://x.com/SylviaUnseen/status/1885395747794825483):

View this content on Instagram

View this content on Instagram

Thank you for sharing these. Since I have no words of my own I am so grateful for these.

 

[Karen-W]

Dave is really doing great work with these tributes. He’s running circles around major media.

I shared the link to his FB page on my own because I had friends asking for more information about the victims.

The bios and anecdotes he's giving in the tributes are really wonderful. Poignant, respectful and loving.

I told a friend yesterday morning, when the known death toll of those at the NDC was around 15, that I expected that it would turn out that half the passengers on the flight were part of the skating community. I think the total count is currently 28 skaters, parents & coaches lost on the flight.