A tragic midair collision between an American Airlines passenger plane and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter near Washington, D.C., has left the figure skating community in mourning. The accident, which occurred over the Potomac River on Wednesday evening, claimed the lives of many individuals, including Alexandr "Sasha" Kirsanov, a beloved figure skating coach.

Natalya Gudin, Kirsanov's wife, spoke about the devastating impact of this tragedy. She shared that she and her late husband coached two young skaters, Angela Yang and Sean Kay, who were also on board the flight. Gudin explained how they had decided that only one of them would accompany the skaters to the National Development Camp in Wichita, Kansas. This decision led to a heart-wrenching outcome, as she was left behind while her husband and their students perished in the crash. Gudin expressed her profound sorrow, feeling a triple loss—her husband, her students, and close friends.

The figure skating world is reeling from this heartbreaking event. Kirsanov, a professional ice dancer with an illustrious career representing multiple countries, had recently been coaching for the University of Delaware Figure Skating Club. His dedication and passion for the sport were evident in the words of former students, who fondly remembered him as a caring and talented coach. Beyond Kirsanov, the tragedy extended to other members of the skating community, including young athletes and coaches from various clubs. Despite the immense grief, the spirit of unity and support within the skating world remains strong, reminding us of the resilience and compassion that can emerge even in the darkest times.