The figure skating world mourns the loss of Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov, a legendary pair who achieved international acclaim. The couple perished along with 63 others when American Airlines Flight 5342 collided with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter over Washington, D.C., on Wednesday evening. Shishkova and Naumov were returning from coaching at a development camp for young skaters in Wichita, Kansas, following the recent U.S. Figure Skating Championships.

A dedicated coaching duo, Evgenia and Vadim had been nurturing the next generation of skaters at the Skating Club of Boston. They were not only partners in sport but also in life, having married in 1995 and welcomed their son Maxim in 2001. Maxim, now 23, followed in his parents' footsteps, competing in the senior men’s category at the 2025 U.S. Figure Skating Championships where he placed fourth. Thankfully, Maxim was not on the ill-fated flight.

Evgenia and Vadim's journey began in Leningrad (now St. Petersburg), where they started their competitive career as a pair in 1987. Their talent quickly shone through, earning them a bronze medal at the 1991 European Championships. By the time of the 1992 Winter Olympics in Albertville, they had established themselves as formidable competitors. After narrowly missing the podium at the 1994 Winter Olympics, they claimed the gold medal at the 1994 World Championships. This victory marked the pinnacle of their career, solidifying their place in skating history.

This tragedy has deeply affected the close-knit figure skating community. The Skating Club of Boston confirmed that several other members were also among the victims, including young skaters Spencer Lane and Jinna Han, along with their mothers. The community has faced similar heartbreak before, such as the 1961 plane crash that claimed the entire U.S. figure skating team en route to the World Championships in Prague. U.S. Figure Skating expressed profound sorrow over the losses, stating that they are devastated by this unspeakable tragedy and will continue to support the families of the victims during this difficult time.

In the face of such profound loss, the resilience and unity of the figure skating community shine through. The legacy of Evgenia and Vadim, along with the other victims, will inspire future generations to pursue their dreams with passion and dedication. Their contributions to the sport and their unwavering commitment to nurturing young talent serve as a testament to the enduring spirit of figure skating.