US Olympic figure skater Nancy Kerrigan visited the Skating Club of Boston to show support for the community following the tragic plane collision that claimed the lives of several athletes and coaches. Kerrigan expressed her deep sorrow, stating that she was struggling to process the devastating news. She emphasized the strong sense of unity within the skating community and the importance of coming together during such difficult times.
The Skating Club of Boston confirmed that coaches Vadim Naumov and Evgenia Shishkova, along with athletes Spencer Lane and Jinna Han, were among those who tragically lost their lives in the collision. Additionally, Christine Lane and Jin Han, the skaters' mothers, were also on the flight. The group was in Kansas for activities related to the US Figure Skating Championships, as confirmed by the national governing body of the sport.
Shishkova and Naumov, former world figure skating champions in pairs from Russia, had relocated to the US and established successful coaching careers. Kerrigan, who won a silver medal at the 1994 Olympics, recalled seeing the coaches at various events and noted their unwavering passion for the sport. She described their constant smiles and the impact they had on the skating community.
Kerrigan acknowledged the profound loss felt by all those connected to the Skating Club of Boston, emphasizing the void left by the absence of the coaches and athletes. She highlighted the significance of their presence and the challenge of moving forward without them. The tragic incident has deeply affected the skating world, with Kerrigan and others mourning the loss of beloved members of their community.
