Married Skating World Champions Evgenia Shishkova And Vadim Naumov Among Fatal Flight Victims

On 29th Jan 2025, Russian figure-skating champions Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov are among at least 13 skaters feared dead after a tragic plane crash involving an American Airlines flight. The aircraft, carrying 64 passengers and crew, collided with a U.S. Army helicopter before plunging into a river in Washington, D.C., authorities had recovered 28 bodies and reported no signs of survivors.

Shishkova and Naumov, the 1994 world champions in pairs figure skating, captivated audiences with their elegant routine set to Johann Strauss II’s Die Fledermaus Overture. The duo, who married in 1995, later settled in the U.S., dedicating their lives to training young skaters. According to Russian news agency Tass, the couple was aboard an American Airlines flight while returning from a competition with their students.

Remember one of the most outstanding performances of their duo:

The figure skating community is mourning a heartbreaking loss after a tragic incident. “We are heartbroken to learn that figure skaters, along with their families, friends, and coaches, are understood to be among those on board,” read a statement from the International Skating Union. “Our thoughts are with everyone affected by this tragedy. Figure skating is more than a sport – it’s a close-knit family – and we stand together.”

US Figure Skating confirmed that those on board were returning from a camp for the national championships in Kansas. In a heartfelt statement, they shared, “We are devastated by this unspeakable tragedy and hold the victims’ families closely in our hearts.”