Moment of Silence Held for Skaters Killed in D.C. Plane Crash

The figure skating community is mourning the tragic loss of lives in the recent collision between American Airlines flight 5342 and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter over the Potomac River, which took place on January 29. The flight, carrying 64 individuals, including athletes, coaches, and family members returning from a National Development Camp, resulted in no survivors. During the pairs final at the European Figure Skating Championships in Estonia, commentators Johnny Weir and Tara Lipinski emotionally honored the victims with a moment of silence, expressing their heartbreak over the incident. Weir read statements from U.S. Figure Skating and the International Skating Union, which conveyed the profound shock and sorrow felt by the global skating community. Additionally, Olympic figure skating icon Nancy Kerrigan also expressed her grief and solidarity with the affected families during a news conference at the Skating Club of Boston, highlighting the personal connections to the victims. The tragedy has left an indelible mark on the close-knit skating family, as they come together to support one another in this difficult time.