Tuesday, March 11, 2025
By Charlotte Meyer-Schoenherr?
On Sunday, March 2, the U.S. figure skating community came together at Capital One Arena for Legacy on Ice, a moving tribute to the 67 lives lost in the tragic Jan. 29 midair collision over the Potomac River. The deceased included 28 members of the figure skating community — young skaters, coaches and their family members.?
Co-hosted by Olympic champions Brian Boitano and Kristi Yamaguchi, Legacy on Ice was more than just a performance. In a night filled with sorrow, strength and solidarity, Legacy on Ice reminded everyone of the deep bonds within the figure skating world.?
Some of the biggest names in figure skating took to the ice, including three-time U.S. champion Ilia Malinin, two-time world ice dance champions Madison Chock and Evan Bates and Olympic gold medalists Tara Lipinski, Scott Hamilton and Johnny Weir. In total, more than 40 current and former Team USA skaters participated, making the event a historic gathering of talent.?
The night’s most emotional moment came when Maxim Naumov performed a tribute to his parents, Vadim Naumov and Evgenia Shishkova, both of whom died in the crash. As he finished his routine to his parents’ favorite song, Naumov collapsed to the ice in tears and was met with an extended standing ovation.?
Photo by Charlotte Meyer-Schoenherr.
Amber Glenn, the 2025 U.S. champion, opened the event with a breathtaking performance to “Rise Up“ by Andra Day, placing a single white rose on a table adorned with candles in memory of those lost. Isabella Aparicio honored her late father and brother by skating to a recording of her father playing “Canon in D Major.“?
The event also recognized the heroism of the first responders who rushed to the scene on Jan. 29. DC Fire & EMS flew the American flag outside Capital One Arena before the show, and an estimated 400 first responders were honored with a round of applause.?
A sold-out crowd of over 15,000 attended, with all ticket proceeds benefiting the U.S. Figure Skating Family Support Fund, the Greater Washington Community Foundation’s DCA Together Relief Fund and the DC Fire & EMS Foundation.
Legacy on Ice was broadcast live on Peacock and will be rebroadcast on NBC on March 30 at 1 p.m., allowing a wider audience to witness the powerful tribute.?
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