Tragedy Strikes Figure Skating Community with Fatal Flight Collision

BOSTON — Just as Janet Champion returned home to Colorado Springs, the phone rang with shocking news: American Eagle Flight 5342, carrying 28 members of the figure skating community, collided with a military helicopter on January 29, as it approached D.C.’s airport. The plane exploded, plummeting into the icy waters of the Potomac River, resulting in no survivors.

Many of those lost were bright young talents, promising Olympic hopefuls, and dedicated coaches. The accident echoes a prior tragedy for Champion, who suffered the loss of her coach, Edi Scholdan, in a similar crash that decimated the U.S. Figure Skating Team prior to the 1961 World Championships.

The U.S. figure skating community, renowned for its close-knit nature, is grappling with bereavement once again. Families are left with voids where once resided coaches and athletes. Amidst this calamity, Champion, together with fellow former Olympian Christy Krall and others, gathered in Boston to conduct a tribute aimed at healing the wounds inflicted by the recent disaster.

The city of Boston holds profound significance as it echoes both the hope and heartache of figure skating history. It was here that, in 1961, Champion received the devastating news of Scholdan’s death while performing as a young skater.

Champion reflected on that painful moment: “I loved him, so that was really hard. I know the kids now are going through that same thing.” The values instilled by coaches, such as the importance of persistence after failure, continue to resonate within the skating community.

Beginning her skating journey at age 5 in San Diego, Champion quickly demonstrated a natural aptitude for the ice, leading her to perform in various prestigious skating shows, including the Shipstads and Johnson Ice Follies. Yet, strict amateur rules limited her participation in competitive skating beyond her early fame.

At age 9, she transitioned into the professional realm, touring across the country while training under Scholdan at the Broadmoor Skating Club in Colorado Springs. Champion described his influence: “I just loved him from the first minute.” Their bond fostered not only her skill development but also the strong camaraderie shared among young skaters.

During the terrifying news of the 1961 crash, the American skating community was shaken as many celebrated their own achievements while mourning together. Champion and the cast of Ice Follies gathered around televisions for updates amidst performances, revealing a shared grief that reverberated throughout the country.

Fast-forward to today, and the emotional scars from the recent D.C. crash linger heavily on the skating community. Janet Champion, now seasoned as both skater and coach, attended the Skating National Development Camp in Wichita, where young athletes aspire to represent their nation. As they push through their training, the sense of community grows stronger, reminiscent of the support following the 1961 disaster.

Kalle Strid, a former Swedish skater turned coach, noted the unnerving silence and grief surrounding recent memorials at the rink: “It feels like a wound that would never heal.” He, like many, emphasize the challenge of coping with the profound loss of promising young skaters.

As recovery efforts continue, the ongoing guidance of U.S. Figure Skating has been pivotal, creating memorial funds and support systems to not only honor the past but potentially stimulate the growth of new skating talent. “My dream would not have come true. They made it possible,” reflected a 1984 Olympic gold medalist, emphasizing the impact of continued support for young skaters.

The recent tribute event in Boston included heartfelt remembrances, honoring all 67 victims of both the recent and past crashes. Figures like Maxim Naumov performed in honor of his lost parents, while leaders from the skating federation stressed the importance of coming together as a community during these times of despair.

Champion, alongside Krall and others, reinforced the message of resilience, hoping for a thriving future in a sport that has seen two devastating losses. “The joy of skating will override this horrible pain,” Krall asserted, signaling a collective commitment to rebuilding and honoring the memories that sadly accompany these tragedies.