Chicago-area figure skating community mourns loss of friends in DC plane crash: 'It’s just devastating'

Figure skaters across the United States, including Chicago, were left reeling after members of their community were killed when an American Airlines flight collided with an Army helicopter Wednesday night.

Fourteen members of the skating community were aboard the plane as they headed home from a national development camp following the U.S. Figure Skating Championships, which were held Jan. 20-26 in Wichita, Kansas.

The invite-only camp is intended for up-and-coming youth athletes with Olympics potential.

Oleg Podvalny, a Chicago-area figure skating coach, was at the camp with some of his students. Podvalny left the camp Tuesday but instead of taking a plane, he chose to drive home to Evanston.

"I didn't hear about the crash until [Thursday] morning when one of my students' parents told me," Podvalny said Thursday. "I was in shock. I couldn't believe it. I was just with these people."

Among those killed in the crash were 1994 pairs world champions Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov. Their son, Maxim, 23, is also a figure skater.

Maxim Naumov flew home Monday ahead of his parents, who are also his coaches. A former U.S. junior champion, he has finished fourth at senior nationals the last three years, including on Sunday when he captured the pewter medal with a strong free skate program while his parents watched at Intrust Bank Arena in Wichita.

Podvalny knew the couple personally and said he spoke to Vadim Naumov at the camp.

"I was devastated to hear they were on the plane," said Podvalny. "At the camp we were catching up. We talked about his son Maxim's scores because he competed on the weekend."

His parents, who coached for the Skating Club of Boston, stayed at the camp with other skaters.

"I'm just really sorry for what he's going through right now," said Podvalny. "I can't imagine what he's feeling."

Podvalny said he was honored to have known and competed against Shishkova and Vadim Naumov. Podvalny, who was also a pairs skater, said he often competed against the couple in the '80s and '90s.

"They were amazing people, so nice," he said. "Whenever I saw them they would say, 'If you need anything, please let us know.' They were always willing to help."

Figure skating coach Maria Jezak-Athey was a close friend of Shishkova and Naumov and said she's still coming to terms with the loss.

"I'm in disbelief," said Jezak-Athey, who was also at the camp with one of her students. "I'm in pain. I knew them a long time. We were very close."

Jezak-Athey, co-founder of the Chicago Figure Skating School, left the camp Tuesday and said she was thankful her coaches and skaters made it home safely.

"I think everybody is still trying to process all this," she said. "As adults and coaches, we're trying to stay strong for our skaters, and help them out as much as we can."

Irma Sveiteryte, who runs the Chicago Figure Skating Club, said some of her students and coaches were also at the camp.

“Two coaches were there but they came back on Monday, so we are safe,” Sveiteryte said Thursday. “Everyone had a blast,” including families who went along to cheer for them.

“I can’t believe it happened,” she said. “It’s just devastating … and just thinking that all these kids are future Olympians, it’s just insane.”

Officials said Thursday there were no survivors in the crash. There were 67 people aboard the plane and three people in the helicopter.