Two ice skaters, deeply intertwined in both life and sport, tragically lost their lives in a plane crash that has left the figure skating community mourning. Yevgeniya (Evgenia) Shishkova, 52, and Vadim Naumov, 55, revered champions from Russia who had built new lives as skating coaches in the United States, were aboard an American Airlines jet that collided with a military helicopter while approaching Ronald Reagan National Airport. The crash, which occurred on Wednesday night, claimed the lives of everyone on board. Many of the passengers were athletes and figure skating coaches who were returning from the U.S. Figure Skating national championships in Wichita, Kansas.
Shishkova and Naumov’s story is one of unparalleled dedication, resilience, and a shared passion for ice skating. Married in their hometown of St. Petersburg, Russia, in 1995, the pair wasn’t just bound by their love for one another but also by their meteoric rise in the world of figure skating. In the 1990s, their careers were at their pinnacle. They represented Russia on the world stage, skating in six World Championships and amassing an impressive collection of gold, silver, and bronze medals. Among their crowning achievements was a gold medal at the World Skating Championship in Japan in 1994, a testament to their artistry and athletic prowess.
Their Olympic appearances in 1992 and 1994 further cemented their place among the world’s skating elite. However, as their competitive careers drew to a close, another chapter awaited them in the United States. Like many Russian athletes of the time, Shishkova and Naumov chose to start a new life abroad during the economic turmoil following the collapse of the Soviet Union.
In 1998, they moved to Simsbury, Connecticut, and became part of the International Skating Center of Connecticut. It was a significant transition. They exchanged the applause of crowds and the glare of spotlights for the quieter, yet equally challenging, role of coaching. They began nurturing a new generation of skaters, sharing their expertise and instilling a love for the sport.
Their coaching journey was not without its challenges. In a 2007 interview with Yankee Magazine of New England, Naumov offered a refreshingly candid insight into the pressures of the American figure skating system. He criticized how children in the U.S. were “overexposed to competition,” pointing out the stark difference from his own training in Russia. There, he explained, the government-funded their training, allowing kids to grow into the sport without an immediate focus on results. He mentioned that he himself didn’t start competing seriously until he was 15. In contrast, in the United States, he noted that parents often demanded quick results for the hefty fees they paid for coaching sessions. This environment sometimes added a layer of stress to what should be a balanced and joyful training experience.
Yet, despite these hurdles, Naumov maintained a philosophy that blended fun with discipline. On his profile page for The Skating Club of Boston, he remarked on his desire to create an “environment where students have fun while working hard.” It encapsulated their approach as coaches — offering constructive, patient guidance without losing sight of the joy and artistry that makes skating magical.
Not content with just coaching, Shishkova and Naumov also participated in professional skating tournaments in their post-competitive careers. These events allowed them to stay connected to the thrill of performance while sharing their love for skating with an even broader audience.
The news of their loss has rippled through the figure skating community, leaving a void not just for their students but for colleagues and fans who admired both their talent and the values they brought to the rink. The Skating Club of Boston confirmed their passing in a heartfelt social media post, reflecting the overwhelming grief of those who knew them.
This devastating accident doesn’t just take away two extraordinary individuals; it also serves as a sobering reminder of how fleeting life can be. Yet, within the grief, there is also a space to celebrate the legacy of two people who dedicated their lives to a craft that touched so many. Shishkova and Naumov were not only skating champions but also mentors, role models, and ambassadors of figure skating’s artistic and athletic beauty.
Their story is a portrait of resilience, adaptation, and the enduring bonds of partnership. From their beginnings in St. Petersburg to becoming world champions, and later reshaping their lives as coaches across an ocean in Connecticut, they remained a team — on and off the ice. It’s a legacy that will continue to inspire, even as the figure skating community grapples with their untimely passing.
