Doug Zeghibe, CEO and executive director for Skating Club of Boston (Screenshot: CBS Boston)
Six individuals associated with the Skating Club of Boston have been identified among the victims of a tragic midair collision.
The doomed American Airlines flight, a Bombardier CRJ700 carrying 60 passengers and four crew members, took off from Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport (ICT) en route to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA).
Among those on board were elite members of the U.S. figure skating program, many of whom were expected to compete in the next Winter Olympics. Tragically, all aboard the aircraft are feared dead.
“Last night and into this morning, we were informed of a pretty horrific tragedy. To the best of our knowledge, 14 skaters returning home from the National Development Camp at Wichita, Kansas, put on by U.S. Figure Skating, were lost in the plane crash at Washington, D.C. Of those 14 skaters, six were from the Skating Club of Boston—two coaches, two teenage athletes, and the athletes’ moms,” said Doug Zeghibe, CEO and executive director for Skating Club of Boston.
The Skating Club of Boston confirmed the loss of two esteemed coaches, Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov, both former world champion figure skaters.
Shishkova, 52, and Naumov, 55, clinched the pairs title at the 1994 World Championships and have been integral members of the club since 2017.
Also among the victims were two promising young athletes: 16-year-old Spencer Lane and 15-year-old Jinna Han. Both were returning from a U.S. Figure Skating national development camp in Wichita.
Their mothers, Christine Lane and Jin Han, respectively, were accompanying them and also died in the crash.
“These kids and their parents—they’re here at our facility in Norwood six, sometimes seven, days a week. It’s a close, great bond. I think, for all of us, we have lost them,” said Zeghibe.
“We sent, here at this club, 18 skaters to Wichita to compete at the U.S. Championships, and 12 skaters were at the National Development Camp. Six is a horrific number for us, but we’re fortunate and grateful it wasn’t more than six.”
WATCH:
One of the victims, Spencer Lane, unknowingly documented his final moments, sharing a photo from inside the jet before takeoff. He captioned it simply, “ICT -> DCA.”
Figure skater Spencer Lane posted a photo from the doomed plane on the runway leaving Wichita bound for DC just hours ago.
He has not been heard from since.
Keep him and his family in your prayers. pic.twitter.com/pYV7QXg8cV
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) January 30, 2025
Meanwhile, young American figure skater Jon Maravilla narrowly escaped tragedy after being denied boarding because his dog was deemed too big for the flight.
In an interview with RIA Novosti, Maravilla recounted his decision to take a car instead, a twist of fate that saved his life.
Another skater, Anton Spiridonov, was initially reported among the victims, but he later confirmed via Instagram that he was never on the flight.
“I was not on this flight, thank you for everyone’s concern for my safety. My heart goes out to all the families affected by this tragedy,” he wrote.
Authorities continue to identify victims and investigate the full circumstances of the collision.
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