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Boston Globe

Skating Club of Boston victims of January plane crash among those honored in on-ice tribute

Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up Related : Advertisement The 'Legacy on Ice' show, organized by Monumental Sports and Entertainment in partnership with US Figure Skating, served as a memorial and fund-raiser, dedicated to supporting the victims' families as well as the first responders who were on the scene. Four Boston figure skaters — Jimmy Ma, Max Naumov, and the pairs team of Alisa Efimova and Misha Mitrofanov — took part in the event, balancing their performances with preparation for the World Figure Skating Championships March 25-30 at TD Garden. Zeghibe expressed his admiration for the skaters who interrupted their training schedules. Related : 'I'm incredibly proud of our team. Alisa Efimova and Misha Mitrofanov — who are preparing for the World Championships, yet still made the trip to be here,' Zeghibe said. 'It shows just how much they care, as do all of our skaters, including Max Naumov, who tragically lost both of his parents in the crash. Our skaters are incredibly resilient. I think all skaters, especially at the Olympic and world-class level, know how to focus and compartmentalize when they need to. But tonight, we see how deeply they also know how to open themselves up when it matters most.' Max Naumov, who lost his parents in the Jan. 29 plane crash, was emotional after performing Sunday. Nick Wass/Associated Press Skaters from clubs across the nation took the ice, each honoring a life lost in the tragedy. Among the notable performers who captivated the crowd during introductions were 2014 Olympic team bronze medalist James Brown and 1984 Olympic champion Scott Hamilton. Advertisement However, it was the Skating Club of Boston's performance that left the audience moved, earning a standing ovation. The club was introduced by 1992 Olympic silver medalist Paul Wylie and two-time Olympian Nancy Kerrigan, a longtime member of the Skating Club of Boston. The performances were filled with raw emotion. Ma delivered a powerful and technically difficult routine to 'One Day I'll Fly Away', while Efimova and Mitrofanov executed a breathtaking program full of intricate twists and stunts. Their routine, set to 'Papa, Can You Hear Me?', ended with the pair sending a kiss to the sky, a poignant tribute to those lost. Defending world champion Ilia Malinin performed at the "Legacy on Ice" event. Nick Wass/Associated Press Lastly, Naumov skated in honor of his parents, his performance so moving that he collapsed in tears on the ice, receiving a standing ovation. The Skating Club of Boston followed with a hauntingly beautiful group performance to 'Ave Maria'. As they finished. Naumov raised his candle high, skating off the ice with tears in his eyes. Members of the D.C. skating community were also in attendance. Among them was , including 17-year-old figure skater Sara Morell from Prince William County, Va., who felt a connection to the young skaters lost in the tragedy. 'As a skater, you always hear people say this is a community, and it really is,' Morell said. 'Skating has brought me most of my closest friends. So when something like this happens, you just want to be there to show your support. It's heartbreaking to think that some of the skaters we lost were my age, with so much talent and potential. Watching them skate, you could see they had such bright futures ahead of them.' Advertisement The crowd also took a moment to honor the first responders in attendance, recognizing their bravery and dedication, and US Figure Skating presented them a bouquet of flowers. The final performance came from 2024 world champion Ilia Malinin, who delivered a fast-paced, passionate routine set to a piece titled 'Hope' — the theme of the event. Wearing a sweatshirt emblazoned with the word HOPE in bold letters, Malinin executed a series of difficult tricks with precision and grace. As he stepped off the ice, the crowd rose in a standing ovation. To close the event, the performers united for a heartfelt group performance. They took the roses from the tribute table and arranged them in the center of the ice, forming a heart. Hand in hand, they stood around the roses as a single spotlight illuminated the scene — an emotional tribute to lives lost but never forgotten. Asia Alexander can be reached at