The anticipation is palpable at the Enterprise Center in St. Louis as the U.S. Figure Skating Championships unfold, setting the stage for the final selection of the men’s Olympic team for the 2026 Winter Games. Among the athletes vying for a coveted spot is Simsbury native Maxim Naumov, whose journey to this moment has been marked by both remarkable achievement and unimaginable loss.
Naumov, 24, has become a fan favorite not only in his hometown of Simsbury, Connecticut, but across the national skating community. His story is one of perseverance, resilience, and the enduring power of legacy. The only child of former Olympic skaters Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov, Maxim grew up surrounded by the sport, lacing up skates at the International Skating Center of Connecticut, where his parents coached after moving from Russia following their 1994 Olympic appearance and World Championship win.
Tragedy struck the Naumov family—and the entire U.S. figure skating world—on January 29, 2025. Maxim’s parents, along with 26 other members of the skating community, lost their lives when American Airlines Flight 5342 collided with a U.S. Army helicopter near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. The crash left a deep scar, reverberating through the sport and casting a long shadow over the 2026 championships.
"As a skater, I hope he comes away with a good skate for himself, but regardless of that, oh my God, he should be so proud," said Holly Viall, a coach at the Simsbury rink since its opening in 1994. "We're so proud of him. So proud of him to be able to put both feet on the floor and try his hardest to get through life."
Maxim’s resilience has been nothing short of inspiring. In the months following the tragedy, his future in competitive skating was uncertain. He withdrew from the 2025 Four Continents Championships, taking time to grieve and recalibrate. But the call of the ice was strong. In March 2025, he participated in "Legacy on Ice," a tribute show honoring the crash victims, skating to his parents’ favorite song, "The City That Doesn't Exist." Later that month, he performed at the 2025 World Championships exhibition in Boston, a poignant moment for both athlete and audience.
His return to competition during the 2025-26 season has been marked by determination and steady progress. The season began with a ninth-place finish at the CS Lombardia Trophy in Italy in September, followed by another ninth at the Grand Prix de France in October. November brought a breakthrough: Naumov took gold at the Ice Challenge in Austria, a victory that signaled his readiness to compete at the highest level once again.
Now, at the U.S. Championships in St. Louis, Naumov faces perhaps the most meaningful test of his career. The men’s short program kicked off the competition on January 8, with the free skate scheduled for January 10. The U.S. Olympic team announcement looms on January 11, and the stakes could hardly be higher. While reigning U.S. and World champion Ilia Malinin is considered a virtual lock for one of the three men’s Olympic spots—thanks to his unrivaled arsenal of quadruple jumps—veteran Jason Brown’s artistry and technical prowess are also expected to secure him a ticket to the Games. This leaves a fierce competition for the third and final spot, with Naumov in the thick of the action.
The selection process for the Olympic team is not strictly winner-take-all at this event. U.S. Figure Skating evaluates performances over the past 12 months, including the 2025 nationals, making consistency and resilience crucial factors. For Naumov, who has placed fourth at the U.S. Championships for three consecutive years starting in 2023, this cumulative approach could work in his favor. His recent gold in Austria and heartfelt performances throughout the season are sure to weigh heavily in the judges’ minds.
"With what happened, being able to make it to the Olympics, how his parents did as well, it's not even just a story for Max; it's a story for U.S. skating, too," remarked Daniel Petrenko, Director of Figure Skating at the ISCC and a lifelong friend of Naumov. "That story line uplifts everyone. I just got chills bringing it up again. I can't wait to be there watching it live and I just pray he does what he's been doing. From what I've been hearing about how he's practicing, how he's been so focused, he's getting only better and better. I hope he pours that soul into both of his programs."
Naumov’s current coach, Vladimir Petrenko, brother of Olympic champion Victor Petrenko, stepped in after the loss of Naumov’s father. The transition was deeply personal. "Max has put in serious effort and now feels ready — not only with his body, but also mentally and emotionally," Vladimir Petrenko shared. "Every time Max and I step onto the ice, there is always a quiet emotional layer under the training process. On the surface, we are focused, working, analyzing techniques, pushing toward goals. But somewhere deeper there is always a feeling that they are with us. Sometimes it is a memory, sometimes a moment of reflection, sometimes simply a feeling of calm presence."
Beyond competition, Naumov has embraced his parents’ legacy in another vital way—by running the youth program they founded at the Skating Club of Boston. He has moved back into their home in Norwood, Massachusetts, and continues to mentor young skaters, instilling in them the same passion and discipline that shaped his own career.
His journey has resonated with the skating community and beyond. "The fact that he's going to the rink and trying to pursue this lofty goal, when you have to stay in the moment when you're doing that triple axle and quad Salchow — you can't be distracted or you could really hurt yourself," said Holly Viall. "The fact that he is making himself do all of this, it's commendable, really commendable."
Daniel Petrenko added, "He doesn't crack under pressure; he actually does better under pressure. When it comes to that moment ... he locks in, he's focused, and it works."
As the U.S. Figure Skating Championships continue in St. Louis, Maxim Naumov’s resilience and artistry serve as a beacon for a sport still healing from loss. Whether or not his name is called when the Olympic team is announced, his story has already left an indelible mark on U.S. skating—a testament to courage, community, and the enduring spirit of the ice.