TALLINN, Estonia (AP) – A tragic plane crash has claimed the lives of two prominent figure skating coaches, Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov, who were global champions and former two-time Olympians. The couple, who settled and built their careers coaching figure skaters in the United States, died on January 29, 2025, when their American Airlines flight collided with an Army helicopter before crashing tragically to the frigid waters of the Potomac River.
The flight, which carried 60 passengers and four crew members, was returning from the U.S. national championships – where their son, Maxim Naumov, recently showcased his talents. Notably, Maxim’s performance helped him secure his position on Team USA, set to compete at the upcoming Four Continents Championships. Thankfully, Maxim was not aboard the ill-fated flight.
Shishkova and Naumov achieved great heights as ice dancers, winning the World Championship title together in 1994 and competing at the Olympic Games. Their professionalism and dedication to skating extended beyond their career as athletes; upon moving to the U.S., they became cherished coaches who influenced countless aspiring skaters.
Following their son's recent success, the couple remained in Wichita, Kansas, to conduct coaching at a development camp for promising skaters. They had dedicated themselves to nurturing the next generation of talent at both the Skaking Club of Boston and the International Skipping Centre of Connecticut. Doug Zeghibe, CEO of the Skaking Club of Boston, expressed the grave impact of this loss: "This will have long reaching impacts for our community," he stated during a news conference.
Meanwhile, the Kremlin confirmed their identities among the crash victims. Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov noted, "We are sorry and send condolences to the families and friends who lost those of our fellow citizens who died in the plane crash." This sentiment resonates deeply within the skating community and beyond.
Lyudmila Velikova, whom the pair called their former coach, noted the unfortunate tragedy, reflecting on her recent conversation with them. "Everything was going well for them. They traveled to the main competitions and had very good, worthy students. Many people wanted to work with them,” she shared.
Shishkova and Naumov began their skating careers together in the Soviet Union during the 1980s and married shortly after their retirement from competitive skating. Their legacy continued as they dedicated themselves to coaching, imparting their skills to young talent and contributing immensely to U.S. figure skating.
Both skaters were highly respected figures within the community, not only due to their past accomplishments but also because of the impact they had on their students and peers. All eyes were on their son, now age 24, who had been placed as an alternate for the world championships. His prospects had been bright, with dreams of continuing his family’s legacy.
The Russian Figure Skaling Federation issued heartfelt condolences, stating: "The tragedy which has occurred in Washington has shocked and deeply saddened the Russian skating community. All of us express our sincere condolences to the families and friends of those who have died and also to the U.S. Figure Skaking Association, which has lost talented junior athletes and qualified coaches. Some of them were our compatriots and had made significant contributions to Russian figure skating.”
The incident not only robbed the sport of two influential coaches but also impacted numerous skaters – both near and far – who have been inspired by their work. Skaters who trained under Shishkova and Naumov, along with other aspiring youth across the country, now face challenges without their guiding influence.
Shishkova’s and Naumov’s passion for developing figure skating talent will be missed, with their absence leaving an indelible mark on the sport. The loss of these two individuals stands as somber evidence of the fragility of life and the risk involved even when following one’s passion. Their contributions to figure skating serve not only as remarkable memories but also as lessons on mentorship and dedication.
With every future competition held, the skating community will surely feel the void left behind by this talented couple. Their legacy will live on through these young skaters, melded by the teachings and experiences gleaned from their coaches.