Figure Skating Community Honors Victims of Tragic Plane Crash in Boston

BOSTON — A heartfelt tribute and remembrance ceremony took place Wednesday night at the World Figure Skating Championships, honoring 28 members of the skating community who tragically lost their lives in a plane crash on Jan. 29.

These individuals were returning from the U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Wichita, Kansas, when their flight collided with an Army Black Hawk helicopter over the Potomac River in Washington, D.C., resulting in the deaths of 67 people.

Doug Lane, a father who lost both his son, Spencer, and wife, Christine, in the crash, addressed the audience at TD Garden on behalf of the affected families. “They haven’t really invented the vocabulary to talk about the grief that we’re all feeling,” Lane said, reflecting on his profound loss.

He emphasized the need for improved aviation safety, stating, “The final hope I’ll share today is that we can prevent something like this from ever happening again. Some accidents are unavoidable. This one was not… I hope that we can work with our elected officials to make air travel safer for everyone.”

Spencer Lane, a promising skater from the Skating Club of Boston, participated in a national development camp in Wichita alongside his mother. Both perished in the crash along with four others associated with the club.

The poignant ceremony, which preceded the pairs short program, included video tributes and addresses from significant figures in the skating world including International Skating Union President Jae Youl Kim, Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey, and Boston Mayor Michelle Wu. “Someone once told me time is a great healer,” Kim said. “But for those who have experienced deep loss, we know that time does not simply erase pain.”

The event was imbued with added significance this year as it served to honor the lives, talents, and passions of those who were lost. Governor Healey acknowledged the deep connections within the skating community and the lasting impact of the deceased. “In moments of loss, we also find unity. In grief, we find strength, and in remembrance, we find hope,” she said.

At the ceremony, reigning U.S. national champion Amber Glenn raised a T-shirt reading “Skate with their spirit,” adorned with images of the victims. Meanwhile, defending world champion Ilia Malinin expressed his intention to dedicate his performances to the victims, saying, “Now I’ll always have them in my head and in my heart.”

Additional remarks came from hosts, including American ice dancer and 2006 Olympian Ben Agosto, who highlighted the indelible spirit of the departed: “Their spirit remains in every edge traced on this ice, in every moment of triumph, and in every heart that beats for this sport.”

The ceremony displayed victims’ names brightly lit on the rink and concluded with a powerful musical performance by a local choir. Doug Lane ended the tribute by calling for continued support for young skaters still grieving and navigating the challenges that follow such loss. “They’re hurting,” Lane stated. “I hope we can support them in their skating journeys.”

As the championships progress until Sunday, the emotional weight of the tragedy continues to linger, and participants are reminded of the losses as they navigate their performances. While the competitive spirit remains at the forefront, skaters recognize the deeper purpose this event now holds for them, as many continue to skate in memory of their lost friends and family.