The Final Messages From Russian Figure Skaters To Their Son Before The American Airlines Plane Crash
Evgenia Shishkova, 53, and Vadim Naumov, 56, a married couple, were flying back to Washington, D.C. on Flight 5342 after attending the US Figure Skating Championships in Kansas.
Their son, Maxim Naumov, who is 23 and a well-known skater for Team USA, did not travel with them. A friend said he left Wichita on Monday.
A story from Moscow says that Evgenia and Vadim told Maxim they were ‘proud’ of him after he finished fourth in a competition just days before the crash.
The couple expressed their pride in Maxim in a social media post shared by Sankt-Peterburgskie Vedomosti, which is Russia’s oldest newspaper.
‘He climbed to the podium at the Nationals after seventh place in the short program. This beautiful and emotional performance is the result of teamwork. Maxim has earned his place in the team of champions of four continents.’
US figure skating has stated that some skaters, coaches, and their family members were on the flight, returning home from the National Development Camp that happens during the national championships.
‘We are devastated by this unspeakable tragedy and hold the victims’ families closely in our hearts. We will continue to monitor the situation and will release more information as it becomes available,’ the sport governing body said in a statement.
American figure skater John Maravilla told RIA Novosti, “I will not say any names, but there were about 14 figure skaters on the plane, not including their parents and some coaches.”
A regional passenger jet and a US Army chopper crashed into the Potomac River after hitting each other in the air while the plane was getting ready to land at Reagan Washington National Airport on Wednesday night, according to officials.
American Airlines reported there were 60 passengers and 4 crew members on the plane.
Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov were born in Leningrad. They skated together in pairs for the national teams of the USSR and Russia and won the World Championship in 1994.
They went to the US in 1998 and became coaches.
The couple was said to be coming back from the tournament and traveling with a group of young skaters.
Maxim, who came in fourth in the race in Wichita, is said to have left Kansas with US figure skater Anton Spiridonov on Monday.
‘I wasn’t on the flight. People I knew, I think, were,’ Spiridonov said. ‘Maxim Naumov was not on board – he left Wichita on Monday.
‘He was at the airport with me, going through security at the same time.’
Yet, Maxim’s parents agreed, Spiridonov said.
Skating fans have shared emotional messages on Maxim and his parents’ social media today.
Maxim, who was coached by his parents, once said, ‘I want to thank my parents and my sister who opened the door [to figure skating].’
The International Skating Union said in a statement on the crash today: ‘We are heartbroken to learn that figure skaters, along with their families, friends and coaches, are understood to be among those on board.
‘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.’
Reports suggest that up to 15 people on the flight might have been figure skaters.
Russia’s Mash news source shared a list of 13 skaters, many of whom are children of Russians who moved to the United States. They reported that these skaters were thought to be on the plane.
TASS reported that Inna Volyanskaya, a former skater for the Soviet Union, was also on board. She worked as a teacher at the Washington figure skating club, as stated on its website.
Olga Yermolina, a spokesperson for Russia’s figure skating league, told Zvezda that there were no active Russian figure skaters on Flight 5342.
‘We have to wait for the official lists,’ Yermolina said.
‘These are people with other passports who once performed or trained with the USSR or Russian national team, but now they are US citizens.’
The plane is reported to have broken in half and is in about seven feet of water, while the helicopter is turned over and is not safe, according to the source.
Photos from the scene show rescue workers in boats near what looks like part of an airplane’s body and a wing sticking out of the river.
The Federal Aviation Authority reported that a Bombardier CRJ700 jet crashed into a Sikorsky H-60 Black Hawk chopper while getting ready to land on Runway 33.
