Naumov Secures Olympic Spot One Year After Parents' Tragic Deaths

Max Naumov, 24, secured a position on the U.S. Olympic team at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships in January, approximately one year after the deaths of his parents, who also served as his coaches.

Naumov articulated that achieving this collective family goal "means absolutely everything."

"Means absolutely everything."

The January 2025 Aviation Accident

In January 2025, Naumov's parents, Vadim Naumov and Evgenia Shishkova, along with 26 other individuals from the figure skating community, were among the 67 fatalities in a collision at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. The incident, which occurred on January 29, 2025, involved a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter and an American Airlines regional jet.

Many of the victims had ties to the Boston and D.C. figure skating communities and had been attending a development camp in Wichita, Kansas. The loss of these individuals, including emerging skaters, parent volunteers, and coaches, has significantly affected the skating world, particularly as the anniversary coincides with the period leading up to the Winter Olympics.

Community Response and Support

Doug Zeghibe, CEO of the Skating Club of Boston, which experienced the loss of six members including Naumov's parents, stated that the community is concentrating on honoring and remembering those lost. Heather Nemier, president of the Washington Figure Skating Club, reported the loss of seven of their members in the crash. Initial reports indicated skaters struggled to return to the ice.

Over the past year, the community has addressed grief through various methods, including mental health support, memorials, and continued engagement in skating. Many skaters have expressed a renewed motivation to perform as a tribute to the victims.

Tributes on the Ice

Several skaters have performed programs dedicated to those who died:

• Sofia Bezkorovainaya, 15, performed an "Over the Rainbow" short program in memory of her friend, Everly Livingston. Her long program paid tribute to her late coach, Inna Volyanskaya.
• Patrick Blackwell, 17, skated to honor his friend Spencer Lane, incorporating music Lane had intended to use. Blackwell secured a gold medal at the junior level, dedicating his accomplishment to those who passed.
• Max Naumov and other participants displayed photos of loved ones while awaiting their scores.

Sustaining Legacies

Figure skating organizations are establishing permanent memorials and support systems.

• In early March, the "Legacy on Ice" benefit show in Washington, D.C., raised $1.2 million for first responders and the families of victims.
• The Skating Club of Boston launched the "Always Champions Campaign" to fund two permanent scholarships in honor of the lost skaters and intends to rename a rink and establish a memorial wall.
• The Washington Figure Skating Club has endowed trophies in memory of the three skaters it lost and supports young figure skaters through the "Livingston Family Dream Fund," which provides grants for national development camp participants.

The accident impacted skaters who were nearing significant career advancements, including potential Olympic qualifications. Mia Corsini Bailey, a director at the Boston club, noted the talent of skaters such as Spencer Lane and Jinna Han, emphasizing that their legacies continue to inspire subsequent generations.