Latest news with #LegacyonIce
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Team USA's Maia, Alex Shibutani Detail Support After Plane Tragedy
Originally appeared on E! Online Maia Shibutani and are feeling the love. Five months after 28 figure skaters, coaches and family members died on an American Airlines flight to Washington, D.C., that collided with a U.S. Army helicopter, the Olympic ice dancing partners detailed how the skating community has shown support for each other in the wake of the tragedy. For Alex, being a shoulder to lean on for his fellow athletes affected by the crash—which killed all 67 people aboard both aircrafts—has come naturally, considering there's already a strong foundation of community within the sport. "There's a fabric that connects generations, that connects athletes, both in the United States and around the world," the 34-year-old exclusively told E! News at Team USA's Nonna Experience on May 22, "and so in good times and tough times, that is something that we all lean on." And that backbone was built by a mutual admiration that exists among all of the athletes. More from E! Online Titanic Submersible: New Clip Reveals OceanGate Implosion Moments Before Its Final Message Received OnlyFans' Annie Knight Shares Update From Hospital After Sex With 583 Men in 6 Hours Today's Sheinelle Jones Speaks Out After Husband Uche Ojeh's Death "It's because we all admire and respect the work that goes into the sport that we love," Alex continued, "and being able to share that with an audience and share that with each other is super special." As for Maia, the 30-year-old echoed her brother's sentiment, emphasizing that she feels "proud to a part of the figure skating community." "I started skating when I was 4," Maia told E!. "But as I've grown through the sport to get to know other generations of skaters, it just has become a larger family." And the Team USA siblings are taking that family mentality into their partner training as they gear up for the 2026 Winter Olympics—even if it means butting heads occasionally. As Alex noted, "We do have different opinions on things. We do argue." Ultimately, their disagreements help them strengthen their performances on the ice. "The best teams fight, and then the best teams work it out, and they communicate and they grow," Alex said. "We have this special bond that a lot of families experience, but we just get to experience it on the ice." Of course, Alex and Maia aren't the only members of the skating world who have showed their support amid the American Airlines tragedy. Back in February, over 30 skaters stepped out onto the ice at the Legacy on Ice event to perform tributes to those who were lost to the collision. Among those to honor the victims were Maxim Naumov—whose parents were among those who died on board the aircraft—and U.S. champion Johnny Weir. "When you're an athlete, you're taught to have ice in your veins and to push through anything that affects your community,' Johnny told People at the time of the impact the crash had on their community. 'And ours is so small that even if you don't know everybody, you know them all. They're all family in some way." For more on the American Airlines collision, keep reading. What Happened to the Passengers on American Airlines Flight 5342?Who Was Onboard American Airlines Flight 5342?Who Was Onboard the U.S. Army Helicopter Involved in the Collision?What Happens Next After Recover Efforts for American Airlines Flight 5342?Who Has Spoken Out After American Airlines Flight 5342 Crashed Into the Potomac River? For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News App
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Figure skating tributes dedicated to DC plane crash victims raise $1.3 million
A tearful tribute from the United States' most decorated figure skaters coupled with multiple fundraising efforts has garnered $1.3 million on behalf of the Washington, D.C., plane crash victims, organizers said Thursday. "Legacy on Ice," a figure skating tribute show that took place last month at Capitol One Arena in Washington, D.C., honored the 67 lives lost in the fatal midair collision on Jan. 29 -- with nearly half of the passengers being members of the figure skating community. On Thursday, almost exactly nine weeks since the crash, Monumental Sports and Entertainment (MSE), which co-hosted the event with U.S. Figure Skating (USFS), announced a total of $1.3 million had been raised from the sold-out event and subsequent fundraising. "This is evidence of what good that can happen when people band together," MSE CEO Ted Leonsis said in a statement provided to ABC News, emphasizing the "herculean effort and generosity" of organizers and the Washington community. "The kids that were lost -- skating is what they loved to do, so it only felt right that that's how we remember them," two-time U.S. national champion Gracie Gold said in a video compilation of the "Legacy on Ice" event posted by Team USA on Friday. The midair crash between an Army Black Hawk helicopter and American Eagle Flight 5342 above the Potomac River left no survivors and was the first major commercial crash since 2009. The incident was particularly poignant within the skating community given the sport's history with aviation tragedy -- in 1961, the entire U.S. national team died aboard Sabena Flight 548 while traveling to the World Figure Skating Championships in Prague, Czechoslovakia. MORE:'Hearts are heavy': 14 members of figure skating community among victims of DC plane crash Last week, the 2025 World Figure Skating Championships took place in Boston, marking two months since the fatal crash in D.C. and 64 years since the 1961 tragedy. Pausing from the fierce competition, skaters and spectators took time to remember the victims. Maxim Naumov, 23, who lost both of his parents in the crash, received a one-minute standing ovation at a gala on Sunday that concluded the competition. "I don't have the strength or the passion or the drive or the dedication of one person anymore. It's three people," Naumov said in an interview with NBC News' Craig Melvin last week. He described his parents, 1994 Russian world champions and coaches Vadim Naumov and Evgenia Shishkova, as "superheroes." MORE: Figure skater who lost both parents in DC plane crash brings world crowd to its feet At last month's "Legacy on Ice" tribute, Naumov performed to his parents' favorite song in Russian, "The city that does not exist." He opened with choreography clasping each of his hands around the empty air on either side of him, symbolizing him reaching for his parents' hands that are no longer here. Naumov's performance concluded with him sobbing on his knees and repeatedly mouthing words, which he later explained was him saying in Russian "This is for you" and "Mom and Dad, I love you." During the World Figure Skating Championships, a remembrance memorial featured videos of the plane victims on the TD Arena jumbotron, and Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey and Boston Mayor Michelle Wu highlighted the six members lost from the Skating Club of Boston. Just a day after clinching his second consecutive world championship title, Ilia Malinin delivered an emotional tribute performance at the gala, in which he fought back tears and brought the audience to their feet. Known as the "Quad God" and the first skater to land a quadruple axel in competition, Malinin also performed at "Legacy on Ice" last month, closing out the show with an upbeat, motivating number titled "Hope." MORE: Figure skating's world championships are headed to Boston U.S. pairs champions Alisa Efimova and Misha Mitrofanov displayed photos of the Skating Club of Boston members, and two-time U.S. champion Amber Glenn sported a T-shirt that said, "Skate with their spirit." Efimova, Mitrofanov, and Glenn also performed at "Legacy on Ice," where they were accompanied by a cast of U.S. Figure Skating's top stars, past and present. Included in the lineup was 17-year-old Isabella Aparicio, who lost both her father, Luciano, and her 14-year-old brother, Franco, in the crash. Skating to a recording of her father playing "Canon in D" on the guitar, Aparicio fell to her knees at the conclusion of her routine, and the tear-ridden audience leapt to their feet in support of the skater. "Legacy on Ice" also honored the victims' final skating endeavor as they had been traveling home from a development camp that is hosted annually for the highest-performing youth skaters following the U.S. Figure Skating Championships. The performers reenacted a skating skills class that is traditionally conducted at such camps, staging the exercise to Beyonce's "Halo." "Against the backdrop of this massive tragedy, this region has provided a light in showcasing its generosity and empathy for the victims, their families, and the heroic first responders," Leonsis said in a statement following the event. MORE: Olympic figure skaters to honor DC plane crash victims in tribute show According to MSE, donations will be distributed to USFS, the Greater Washington Community Foundation's "DCA Together Relief Fund," and the D.C. Fire & EMS Foundation, with each organization receiving approximately $425,000. USFS continues to collect donations from its own fundraiser, the U.S. Figure Skating Family Support Fund, which benefits victim family members. Editor's note: The author of this story has been a member of U.S. Figure Skating since 2008. Figure skating tributes dedicated to DC plane crash victims raise $1.3 million originally appeared on
USA Today
31-03-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Ilia Malinin is the man to beat and 5 other takeaways from figure skating worlds
Ilia Malinin is the man to beat and 5 other takeaways from figure skating worlds BOSTON — The 2025 world figure skating championships in Boston have come to a close, and they couldn't have gone much better for the hosts. Team USA won world titles in three of the four disciplines − men's singles, women's singles and ice dance − and seemed to clearly enjoy having home-ice advantage at what were the first world championships held on U.S. soil since 2016. The crowds at TD Garden were strong, and there were plenty of U.S. skaters who had stellar performances even if they didn't land on the podium. Now, of course, the focus will start to shift to the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina. Many of the skaters at worlds said they've already started to think about their music for next winter or otherwise begin their preparation for the Games. And so, as the world championships end and figure skating's offseason nears, here are six takeaways from the past week − and what they mean for Milan-Cortina. Top U.S. figure skaters gather to honor flight crash victims with show U.S. figure skating's biggest names are coming together for 'Legacy on Ice', a tribute show for the victims of the tragic flight crash on January 29th. Sports Pulse It's hard to see anyone beating Ilia Malinin Ilia Malinin won his second consecutive world championship by a 31-point margin. From a technical standpoint, he is truly in a class by himself. It's not just that the 20-year-old is the only person on Earth who can land a quad axel. It's also the number of quads and combinations that he weaves into his free skate, which give him a massive point advantage over the field before he ever steps onto the ice. Malinin's goal is to land seven quads in a free skate. On Saturday, he did "only" six − but that was still two more than anyone else. And looking purely at the base values for Malinin's two programs last week, he had a cushion of about 13 points over the rest of the field. That means that, all else being equal, he could've fallen twice and still won. Malinin just has such a large cushion in difficulty that it's hard to see anyone beating him in Milan. Christine Brennan column: US skaters stun at worlds and could make history in 2026 The quads are only going to get bigger In 1999, Timothy Goebel became the first skater in history to land three quadruple jumps in the same program. On Saturday night alone, five men matched that feat − including Malinin, who hit six quads. Reigning Olympic gold medalist Nathan Chen said this isn't exactly surprising. The only surprising thing, he said, is how quickly the quad figures are going up. "If you look at the way the point system is structured, if you throw down big jumps and land them, you get big points," he said. Chen was the first skater to land five quads in a program, as well as the first to hit six. Malinin has set a goal of seven, but it feels like the technical expansion isn't going to stop there. Could we see another skater, maybe world silver medalist Mikhail Shaidorov, try for six quads to narrow the gap with Malinin in Milan? How long will it be until Malinin starts going for eight? And will we see quads, likely from Russia, on the women's side too? Alysa Liu has a legit shot at an individual Olympic medal If there was a revelatory performance at worlds, it was probably Alysa Liu's. Her journey from retiring at 16 to winning a world championship at 19 is a remarkable story, but this isn't just a feel-good one-off. She has a very realistic shot at making the Olympic podium in women's singles. It's a feat no American woman has achieved since Sasha Cohen at the 2006 Games, which were also held in Italy less than a year after Liu was born. Liu's carefree post-retirement mindset is the sort of approach that can help insulate a skater from the noise and pressure of the Olympic cycle. The Japanese women proved once again at worlds that they will be in the mix. As will Russia's lone entry. As will the other two American women who make the Olympic team, likely Amber Glenn and Isabeau Levito. But at this point, Liu has to feel good about her chances. The Olympic team event could be a two-country race Since the introduction of the team figure skating competition at the Winter Olympics in 2014, there have generally been only five countries jockeying for podium spots: Canada, Italy, Japan, Russia and the U.S. But in 2026, it might just be Japan and the U.S. who have a real shot at gold. While Russian skaters will have a path to compete as neutrals in Milan (more on that later), the country will be barred from team competition under the International Skating Union's current rules. Canada and Italy, meanwhile, each showed some glaring weaknesses at this week's world championships. Nothing is certain, of course. One of the most overused cliches in skating is that ice is slippery, and anything can happen. But it would hardly be a shock if Japan and the U.S. are going head-to-head for team gold 10 months from now. The U.S. ice dance pipeline is as strong as ever Madison Chock and Evan Bates are the clear-cut, hands-down favorites to take gold in Milan. That much is clear after they won their third consecutive world title Saturday. But don't let that one performance overshadow the all-around excellence by Team USA in ice dance, where the other two teams finished in the top nine. After their free dance, Chock and Bates credited the teams of Tanith White/Ben Agosto and Meryl Davis/Charlie White for laying the foundation for their success. The fifth-place finishers, Christina Carreira and Anthony Ponomarenko, are coached by former U.S. Olympic ice dancer Madison Hubbell, among others. And the ninth-place finishers, Caroline Green and Michael Parsons, are coached by the Whites − and, at least recently, ex-U.S. ice dancer Jean-Luc Baker. It all points to a strong pipeline that should keep the U.S. on the podium in ice dance long after 2026, which is expected to be Chock and Bates' final season of competition. Don't forget about Russia Russia was not at the world championships and has been barred from international figure skating for nearly three years, so it's easy to forget about them as the Olympics near. But the ISU has announced that the country will be permitted to enter one skater or team in each of the four disciplines at a qualifying event in Beijing this fall. And, given the country's figure skating pedigree, they seem almost certain to qualify in all four events. There is often a little bit of intrigue around the Russian contingent, as there was in 2022 with Kamila Valieva. But that intrigue will only be amplified in 2026, given the lack of international opportunities to see the Russians' top skaters. Even with just a handful of participants, the Russians − er, I mean Individual Neutral Athletes − will certainly make some noise in Milan. It's not such much a question of whether they reach the podium as it is where they place and in which event(s). Contact Tom Schad at tschad@ or on social media @
Yahoo
31-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Figure skater who lost both parents in DC plane crash brings world championships crowd to its feet
Alisa Efimova and Misha Mitrofanov, of the United States, left, take a bow as Ellie Kam and Danny O'Shea, of the United States, right, applaud during a pairs practice session at the figure skating world championships, Tuesday, March 25, 2025, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa) Alisa Efimova and Misha Mitrofanov, of the United States, perform during the pairs free skating program at the figure skating world championships, Thursday, March 27, 2025, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa) Gold medalist Ilia Malinin, of the United States, celebrates during a medal ceremony for men's free skating at the figure skating world championships, Saturday, March 29, 2025, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa) Jae Youl Kim, President of the International Skating Union, remembers the victims of the American Airlines plane crash, in which 28 people associated with the figure skating community were killed on their way home from the national championships, at the figure skating world championships, Wednesday, March 26, 2025, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa) Photographs, flowers and remembrances are displayed for the six athletes, coaches and family members who perished in a plane crash in January, at The Skating Club of Boston, Tuesday, March 25, 2025, in Norwood, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa) Flowers and remembrances are displayed for the six athletes, coaches and family members who perished in a plane crash in January, at The Skating Club of Boston, Tuesday, March 25, 2025, in Norwood, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa) A remembrance is shown of Jinna Han, who died in the American Airlines plane crash in January, in which 28 people associated with the figure skating community were killed on their way home from the national championships at the figure skating world championships, Wednesday, March 26, 2025, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa) The chairs where skaters Jinna Han and Spencer Lane use to sit are part of a hallway memorial for the skaters, who perished in a plane crash in January, at The Skating Club of Boston, Tuesday, March 25, 2025, in Norwood, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa) Max Naumov reacts after performing Sunday, March 2, 2025, in Washington at the Legacy on Ice event, a figure skating tribute to support the families and loved ones affected by the Jan. 29, 2025, aviation incident. (AP Photo/Nick Wass) Max Naumov reacts after performing Sunday, March 2, 2025, in Washington at the Legacy on Ice event, a figure skating tribute to support the families and loved ones affected by the Jan. 29, 2025, aviation incident. (AP Photo/Nick Wass) Alisa Efimova and Misha Mitrofanov, of the United States, left, take a bow as Ellie Kam and Danny O'Shea, of the United States, right, applaud during a pairs practice session at the figure skating world championships, Tuesday, March 25, 2025, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa) Alisa Efimova and Misha Mitrofanov, of the United States, perform during the pairs free skating program at the figure skating world championships, Thursday, March 27, 2025, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa) Gold medalist Ilia Malinin, of the United States, celebrates during a medal ceremony for men's free skating at the figure skating world championships, Saturday, March 29, 2025, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa) Jae Youl Kim, President of the International Skating Union, remembers the victims of the American Airlines plane crash, in which 28 people associated with the figure skating community were killed on their way home from the national championships, at the figure skating world championships, Wednesday, March 26, 2025, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa) Photographs, flowers and remembrances are displayed for the six athletes, coaches and family members who perished in a plane crash in January, at The Skating Club of Boston, Tuesday, March 25, 2025, in Norwood, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa) Flowers and remembrances are displayed for the six athletes, coaches and family members who perished in a plane crash in January, at The Skating Club of Boston, Tuesday, March 25, 2025, in Norwood, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa) A remembrance is shown of Jinna Han, who died in the American Airlines plane crash in January, in which 28 people associated with the figure skating community were killed on their way home from the national championships at the figure skating world championships, Wednesday, March 26, 2025, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa) The chairs where skaters Jinna Han and Spencer Lane use to sit are part of a hallway memorial for the skaters, who perished in a plane crash in January, at The Skating Club of Boston, Tuesday, March 25, 2025, in Norwood, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa) Max Naumov reacts after performing Sunday, March 2, 2025, in Washington at the Legacy on Ice event, a figure skating tribute to support the families and loved ones affected by the Jan. 29, 2025, aviation incident. (AP Photo/Nick Wass) BOSTON (AP) — Maxim Naumov came to a stop in the middle of the ice, looked up at the sky and patted his heart. Then he mouthed a few words, in Russian, to his parents: 'This is for you guys. You guys are with me. I love you both.' Advertisement Former world pairs champions Vadim Naumov and Evgenia Shishkova died in January when their plane crashed into a military helicopter on approach to Washington, D.C., and fell into the icy Potomac River. A total of 67 people were killed, including more than two dozen who were returning from a development camp following the U.S. figure skating championships in Wichita, Kansas. Maxim Naumov, who finished fourth at nationals, already had returned home. Since the crash, he has become in many ways the face of the tragedy — or at least its effect on the skating community. 'I don't think I've walked through a hallway and haven't given a hug since. And I feel that support and love,' he said Sunday. 'It's been beyond anything that I could have ever even imagined. And it helps so much to get through this day. 'It's overwhelming,' he said. 'But it makes my heart so full.' Advertisement Naumov, 23, skated in a benefit in Washington earlier this month that raised more than $1.2 million for the victims' families. Speaking to reporters Sunday after performing at the world championships gala, Naumov said the time that he is on the ice gives his mind a chance to escape the tragedy. 'As soon as I hit the ice, my brain just — I don't know whether it's focus or just calmness or stillness or what, but it feels like I tune everything out,' he said. 'And I'm just talking with them, and they're helping me. 'I don't hear the crowd. I don't hear the announcers, I don't hear anything. I just have this internal dialogue and I'm just able to almost be calm and just be in my heart,' Naumov said. 'And they're always there, too. And every time I think of them, especially when I'm on the ice, it really, really helps me get through.' The world championships, which had previously been scheduled at the home of Boston's Celtics and Bruins, brought renewed attention to the plane crash and the century-old Skating Club of Boston that has been a home for Olympians and recreational skaters alike. Advertisement There was a tribute on Wednesday, sandwiched between the day's two sessions, and frequent reminders of the tragedy. Alisa Efimova and Misha Mitrofanov, who finished sixth in pairs this weekend, held up pictures of the Boston club members who died in the crash: two young skaters, their mothers and the two coaches. Reigning U.S. champion Amber Glenn wore a T-shirt honoring the memory of all the young skaters who were lost. Ilia Malinin, the 'Quad God' who won his second straight world championship on Saturday night, finished the show on Sunday with a performance that he said was dedicated to the plane crash victims. He came to the end, red-eyed and choking back tears. Naumov's introduction on Sunday identified him as a member of the Boston club and included his three fourth-place finishes at nationals. It didn't mention the crash, but many in the crowd surely knew his connection: He received not only the polite applause that greeted most of the other skaters, but a second wave, with individuals standing to cheer him on. Advertisement Wearing unadorned black pants and a sparkly black top, a gold chain flopping around his neck as he glided across the ice, Naumov gave a gala performance aimed more at emotion than proof of athletic prowess. The choice of music, Mac Miller's posthumous 2020 release 'That's on Me,' was intentional. Miller died of an accidental drug overdose in 2018. 'Lately, for some reason — well, not for some reason — but lately I've just been listening to Mac Miller's album 'Circles.' Like just over and over and over,' Naumov said. 'And knowing the unfortunate story about him as an artist, it's been very relatable. 'I relate to it, and I feel really deeply and emotionally what he's talking about in those songs. And it's also been really helpful for me to almost get my emotions out in that way personally.' Advertisement When his skate was over, Naumov took a deep breath, patted his heart again and waved in each direction. His bows were deep and poignant. Leaving the ice after a one-minute standing ovation, he made the sign of the cross. 'There's a lot of emotions just right now, and it's hard to even put a name to what I'm feeling currently," he said. "I just feel so much support, and it's very overwhelming. 'I have so much gratitude," Naumov said. 'And I'm thankful for each and every single one of those fans.' ___ AP sports:
Yahoo
30-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Figure skater who lost both parents in DC plane crash brings world championships crowd to its feet
Alisa Efimova and Misha Mitrofanov, of the United States, left, take a bow as Ellie Kam and Danny O'Shea, of the United States, right, applaud during a pairs practice session at the figure skating world championships, Tuesday, March 25, 2025, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa) Alisa Efimova and Misha Mitrofanov, of the United States, perform during the pairs free skating program at the figure skating world championships, Thursday, March 27, 2025, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa) Gold medalist Ilia Malinin, of the United States, celebrates during a medal ceremony for men's free skating at the figure skating world championships, Saturday, March 29, 2025, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa) Jae Youl Kim, President of the International Skating Union, remembers the victims of the American Airlines plane crash, in which 28 people associated with the figure skating community were killed on their way home from the national championships, at the figure skating world championships, Wednesday, March 26, 2025, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa) Photographs, flowers and remembrances are displayed for the six athletes, coaches and family members who perished in a plane crash in January, at The Skating Club of Boston, Tuesday, March 25, 2025, in Norwood, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa) Flowers and remembrances are displayed for the six athletes, coaches and family members who perished in a plane crash in January, at The Skating Club of Boston, Tuesday, March 25, 2025, in Norwood, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa) A remembrance is shown of Jinna Han, who died in the American Airlines plane crash in January, in which 28 people associated with the figure skating community were killed on their way home from the national championships at the figure skating world championships, Wednesday, March 26, 2025, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa) The chairs where skaters Jinna Han and Spencer Lane use to sit are part of a hallway memorial for the skaters, who perished in a plane crash in January, at The Skating Club of Boston, Tuesday, March 25, 2025, in Norwood, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa) Max Naumov reacts after performing Sunday, March 2, 2025, in Washington at the Legacy on Ice event, a figure skating tribute to support the families and loved ones affected by the Jan. 29, 2025, aviation incident. (AP Photo/Nick Wass) Max Naumov reacts after performing Sunday, March 2, 2025, in Washington at the Legacy on Ice event, a figure skating tribute to support the families and loved ones affected by the Jan. 29, 2025, aviation incident. (AP Photo/Nick Wass) Alisa Efimova and Misha Mitrofanov, of the United States, left, take a bow as Ellie Kam and Danny O'Shea, of the United States, right, applaud during a pairs practice session at the figure skating world championships, Tuesday, March 25, 2025, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa) Alisa Efimova and Misha Mitrofanov, of the United States, perform during the pairs free skating program at the figure skating world championships, Thursday, March 27, 2025, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa) Gold medalist Ilia Malinin, of the United States, celebrates during a medal ceremony for men's free skating at the figure skating world championships, Saturday, March 29, 2025, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa) Jae Youl Kim, President of the International Skating Union, remembers the victims of the American Airlines plane crash, in which 28 people associated with the figure skating community were killed on their way home from the national championships, at the figure skating world championships, Wednesday, March 26, 2025, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa) Photographs, flowers and remembrances are displayed for the six athletes, coaches and family members who perished in a plane crash in January, at The Skating Club of Boston, Tuesday, March 25, 2025, in Norwood, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa) Flowers and remembrances are displayed for the six athletes, coaches and family members who perished in a plane crash in January, at The Skating Club of Boston, Tuesday, March 25, 2025, in Norwood, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa) A remembrance is shown of Jinna Han, who died in the American Airlines plane crash in January, in which 28 people associated with the figure skating community were killed on their way home from the national championships at the figure skating world championships, Wednesday, March 26, 2025, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa) The chairs where skaters Jinna Han and Spencer Lane use to sit are part of a hallway memorial for the skaters, who perished in a plane crash in January, at The Skating Club of Boston, Tuesday, March 25, 2025, in Norwood, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa) Max Naumov reacts after performing Sunday, March 2, 2025, in Washington at the Legacy on Ice event, a figure skating tribute to support the families and loved ones affected by the Jan. 29, 2025, aviation incident. (AP Photo/Nick Wass) BOSTON (AP) — Maxim Naumov came to a stop in the middle of the ice, looked up at the sky and patted his heart. Then he mouthed a few words, in Russian, to his parents: 'This is for you guys. You guys are with me. I love you both.' Advertisement Former world pairs champions Vadim Naumov and Evgenia Shishkova died in January when their plane crashed into a military helicopter on approach to Washington, D.C., and fell into the icy Potomac River. A total of 67 people were killed, including more than two dozen who were returning from a development camp following the U.S. figure skating championships in Wichita, Kansas. Maxim Naumov, who finished fourth at nationals, already had returned home. Since the crash, he has become in many ways the face of the tragedy — or at least its effect on the skating community. 'I don't think I've walked through a hallway and haven't given a hug since. And I feel that support and love,' he said Sunday. 'It's been beyond anything that I could have ever even imagined. And it helps so much to get through this day. 'It's overwhelming,' he said. 'But it makes my heart so full.' Advertisement Naumov, 23, skated in a benefit in Washington earlier this month that raised more than $1.2 million for the victims' families. Speaking to reporters Sunday after performing at the world championships gala, Naumov said the time that he is on the ice gives his mind a chance to escape the tragedy. 'As soon as I hit the ice, my brain just — I don't know whether it's focus or just calmness or stillness or what, but it feels like I tune everything out,' he said. 'And I'm just talking with them, and they're helping me. 'I don't hear the crowd. I don't hear the announcers, I don't hear anything. I just have this internal dialogue and I'm just able to almost be calm and just be in my heart,' Naumov said. 'And they're always there, too. And every time I think of them, especially when I'm on the ice, it really, really helps me get through.' The world championships, which had previously been scheduled at the home of Boston's Celtics and Bruins, brought renewed attention to the plane crash and the century-old Skating Club of Boston that has been a home for Olympians and recreational skaters alike. Advertisement There was a tribute on Wednesday, sandwiched between the day's two sessions, and frequent reminders of the tragedy. Alisa Efimova and Misha Mitrofanov, who finished sixth in pairs this weekend, held up pictures of the Boston club members who died in the crash: two young skaters, their mothers and the two coaches. Reigning U.S. champion Amber Glenn wore a T-shirt honoring the memory of all the young skaters who were lost. Ilia Malinin, the 'Quad God' who won his second straight world championship on Saturday night, finished the show on Sunday with a performance that he said was dedicated to the plane crash victims. He came to the end, red-eyed and choking back tears. Naumov's introduction on Sunday identified him as a member of the Boston club and included his three fourth-place finishes at nationals. It didn't mention the crash, but many in the crowd surely knew his connection: He received not only the polite applause that greeted most of the other skaters, but a second wave, with individuals standing to cheer him on. Advertisement Wearing unadorned black pants and a sparkly black top, a gold chain flopping around his neck as he glided across the ice, Naumov gave a gala performance aimed more at emotion than proof of athletic prowess. The choice of music, Mac Miller's posthumous 2020 release 'That's on Me,' was intentional. Miller died of an accidental drug overdose in 2018. 'Lately, for some reason — well, not for some reason — but lately I've just been listening to Mac Miller's album 'Circles.' Like just over and over and over,' Naumov said. 'And knowing the unfortunate story about him as an artist, it's been very relatable. 'I relate to it, and I feel really deeply and emotionally what he's talking about in those songs. And it's also been really helpful for me to almost get my emotions out in that way personally.' Advertisement When his skate was over, Naumov took a deep breath, patted his heart again and waved in each direction. His bows were deep and poignant. Leaving the ice after a one-minute standing ovation, he made the sign of the cross. 'There's a lot of emotions just right now, and it's hard to even put a name to what I'm feeling currently," he said. "I just feel so much support, and it's very overwhelming. 'I have so much gratitude," Naumov said. 'And I'm thankful for each and every single one of those fans.' ___ AP sports:
