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Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov were among the fatalities of the American Airlines jet crash into the Potomac River in Washington DC on Wednesday night, news has emerged.
The Russian figure skating couple were the first to be reported as a casualty in the collision with a US Army helicopter that had three soldiers aboard, The Mirror has reported. Reuters has reported that their son, Maxim, is also believed to have been on the plane. As of January 2025, he would be around 23 years old.
Vadim Naumov and Evgenia Shishkova are most known for their stints in two Winter Olympics, following which, they bagged the World Pairs title in 1994. By 1998, they turned pro and shifted to the U.S., where they began coaching at the International Skating Center of Connecticut.
Here's everything we know so far about the untimely demise of Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov
The Mirror has reported that the American Airlines jet was inbound from Wichita, Kansas, and was attempting to land at Reagan Washington National Airport. However, it instead collided mid-air with the Black Hawk helicopter, leaving several in peril. As per the outlet, the US Figure Skating has affirmed that many of its athletes were passengers on the jet, as mentioned in the following statement:
"These athletes, coaches, and family members were returning home from the National Development Camp held in conjunction with the U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Wichita, Kansas. 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."
At the time, Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov were believed to be returning from their son's figure skating championship alongside a group of juvenile skaters. A Russian news outlet, Mash, listed the names of 13 skaters, all of whom were the offspring of Russian immigrants.
The Mirror has confirmed that there were a total of 60 passengers and four staffers aboard the doomed jet. A search and rescue operation is in effect, though only 18 bodies have been found in the Potomac River. At the time of writing, about 300 crew are working to recover the remaining bodies.
Speaking with New England back in December 2007, Vadim Naumov reflected on the highs of skating:
"It’s an amazing feeling when everything’s working, almost as though you’re watching yourself skating. Your mind has to be absent, because if you try to process what you’re doing, control every movement, you’re not going to be successful. That’s where the training is so important. Your body just continues what you’ve been doing for so many years. When people ask, What were you thinking when you landed? I have no idea. Maybe I was looking at the ceiling, or the judge’s face — I don’t know."
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As for their Vadim Naumov and Evgenia Shishkova's son, Maxim, he also competed for the U.S. in singles, as well as at the U.S. figure skating championships as recently as January 20 to 26 in Wichita, Kansas.
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