Enthusiasm and camaraderie defined the national development camp that followed the US figure skating championships in Wichita last week. The experience was hailed as the most memorable and joyous event for participants, their parents, and coaches alike. The camp included extensive interpretive dance classes, competitive jump drills, and a grand celebration of Chinese New Year with a hot pot meal out. Despite the intense rivalry often present among sports professionals, this camp fostered a genuine, collaborative environment.
These camps are designed to bring together top juvenile, intermediate, and novice skaters to watch elite competitors and learn from prestigious coaches. The aim is to nurture future champions of the sport.
A Coaches’ Perspective
Anne Goldberg-Baldwin, a coach and technical specialist on competition judging panels, describes the camp’s atmosphere as “really, really special.” Her student, Spencer Lane, participated in this event and boarded American Eagle flight 5342, which collided with a Black Hawk helicopter late Wednesday night. Several other skaters, coaches, and parents from the camp shared the flight, making the tragedy even more impactful to the figure skating community.
The Skating Community’s Loss
Melissa Gregory, an Olympic ice dancer and coach, emphasizes the significance of the loss. “These were the country’s youngest and brightest rising stars. They were the next generation,” she said.
Gregory and her husband Dennis Petukhov, who has trained alongside Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov since the 1990s, shared a deep bond with the couple, both 1994 world champions and two-time Olympians. Shishkova and Naumov were not only influential coaches but also close friends of Gregory and Petukhov, providing community outreach and developing upcoming talent in Connecticut.
The Legacy of Shishkova and Naumov
Shishkova and Naumov were pioneers in their field, actively mentoring younger coaches and nurturing a collaborative rather than competitive spirit. Their approach set them apart, creating opportunities where talent thrived.
For coach Adam Blake, working with Shishkova and Naumov was an honor. “We were such a great collaborative partnership. We trusted each other, and we listened to each other and we respected each other. But I just loved that we were more than work partners. We were friends.”
Blake also praised Shishkova for her approach, describing her as a “tiny, fierce mama bear.” This maternal instinct was a crucial part of her coaching methodology, providing emotional support alongside technical guidance.
The Exceptional Talent of Spencer Lane and Jinna Han
Spencer Lane, a 16-year-old prodigy, showcased his exceptional skating ability at the camp. His rapid progression from watching Christmas ice shows to mastering challenging jumps earned him praise from both Blake and Goldberg-Baldwin. Blake remarked on Lane’s natural talent, noting his ability to grasp difficult skills instantly.
“He just had such a passion for the sport,” Blake stated. “He was completely all in. And not just the skating side, but also with the community side. Everyone at the rink loved him. All the kids gravitated towards him.”
Jinna Han, a 13-year-old skater new to the development camp, brought her energy and enthusiasm everywhere she went. Blake described her as a “firecracker,” always eager to learn and share her ideas. Her parents were equally devoted, providing unwavering support as she pursued her dreams.
Figure skaters in Boston and Russia mourn victims of Washington DC plane crash – video
Petukhov recounted his joy in mentoring Maxim Naumov, Shishkova and Naumov’s son, as he progressed to become a junior national champion and a fourth-place finisher at the senior nationals. It was this family-like approach that made both Shishkova and Naumov so respected in the community.
The Impact on the Skating Community
Returning to the Skating Club of Boston, Blake found himself struggling to begin the new season. The routines and progress plans that he and Shishkova were crafting were abruptly cut short. Blake described the feeling of entering the club with so many familiar faces missing as deeply heavy.
“It was a really heavy feeling walking through the doors,” he said. “If I close my eyes, the habits and rituals of each one gone is so clear. There are certain places in the rink, where you can see where they would sit to lace up their skates. You can see where they would be warming up. You can see them circling the ice.”
In the skaters’ lounge, Blake found it almost as if Shishkova and Naumov were still present. They would often be seen there, taking breaks to play games or provide advice to other skaters and coaches.
Community Support and Reactions
The Skating Club of Boston organized several vigils in the days following the crash to honor the memory of those lost. Goldberg-Baldwin noted that nearly 200 individuals attended the vigil on Thursday, sharing stories, hugs, and a collective sense of grief. “We’re all such a tight family, and it just hurts, and I think we all are going to really feel this pain and this loss for a long time,” she added.
Despite the tragedy, the community has rallied, stepping up to support each other and remember their fallen friends and mentors. “The outpouring of support and of love is just it is truly amazing,” Blake stated.
This recent handout photograph provided by The Skating Club of Boston shows club skater Spencer Lane, who died in an airplane collision with a helicopter on Wednesday in Washington DC. Photograph: The Skating Club of Boston photograph/AP
With the world championships approaching in March and set to be held in Boston, plans are underway for memorials and performances to commemorate the lives of Shishkova, Naumov, Lane, and Han. As the community grieves, there remains an unwavering spirit of unity and support.
Looking Forward
Blake reflected on the athlet’s needs in the midst of their grief. “It’s absolutely devastating what has happened. And I think the skating community is reacting and really stepping up to that title of ‘tight knit community.’” The community is now even more determined to continue the legacy of those who were lost, maintaining the collaborative environment that inspired so many.
“We’re all wavering between disbelief and despair at the same time,” Blake added. “But the love and support we’re receiving is helping us to carry on.”
The tragedy in Washington DC serves as a poignant reminder of the invaluable contributions these athletes and coaches made to the figure skating community. Their spirit and dedication will continue to inspire new generations of skaters.
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