The Skating Club of Boston was filled with hope and admiration for 13-year-old Jinna Han and 16-year-old Spencer Lane, who had both shown exceptional talent and dedication to the sport they loved. Despite the club’s history of producing top-tier skaters, Jinna and Spencer stood out as stars in the making.
“They were seen as the future of figure skating,” shared the club’s CEO Doug Zeghibe, reflecting on the young athletes’ potential as he stood by the rink where they honed their skills. “Their untimely loss is a devastating blow. They were on the brink of greatness, close to realizing their dreams of representing not just our club, but their country as well.”
Videos showcasing Jinna and Spencer’s remarkable performances highlighted their skill and maturity beyond their years, earning them invitations to the prestigious High Performance Camp following the US National Figure Skating Championships in Wichita, Kansas. Tragically, their journey back home to Massachusetts ended in disaster when the plane they were on collided with a helicopter and plunged into the Potomac River, claiming their lives along with several others connected to the skating club.
The tight-knit community at the Skating Club of Boston, where long hours of training and close bonds among members are the norm, now finds solace in coming together to mourn and remember the lives lost. Photographs capturing Jinna and Spencer in action on the ice now serve as poignant tributes amidst a sea of flowers at the entrance of the club.
As the club grapples with this profound loss, memories of past tragedies, like the 1961 plane crash that claimed the lives of 18 members of the US figure skating team on their way to the world championships, resurface. CEO Zeghibe, who witnessed the devastating news unfold, is reminded of the club’s resilience in the face of adversity throughout its century-long history.
The legacy of Jinna, Spencer, and their fellow passengers, including esteemed coaches Vadim Naumov and Evgenia Shishkova, will forever be interwoven with the Skating Club of Boston’s storied past, leaving a profound impact on the skating community and beyond.
On Tuesday night, he shared with me, “My initial reaction was disbelief – how could lightning strike twice?” The tragic plane crash in Washington DC claimed the lives of teenage skaters, a young pilot, and a professor. Amidst this sorrow, the community has been united in grief and support for the victims. Notably, Nancy Kerrigan, a distinguished alumna of the club, has joined to express solidarity and mourn the loss of six lives in the crash.
Nancy Kerrigan, known for her silver medal at the 1994 Winter Olympics, endured a brutal attack orchestrated by the husband of her competitor, Tonya Harding. Reflecting on the support she received during that challenging time, Kerrigan expressed her desire to reciprocate, stating, “I want to give back what I feel like I got, maybe through a simple gesture like sharing a cup of coffee or a comforting hug.”
Looking ahead, the club is preparing for the World Figure Skating Championships scheduled for March in the city. This event carries significant weight, balancing the responsibilities of organizing the competition with the burden of collective grief. CEO Doug Zeghibe acknowledged the challenges ahead, emphasizing the importance of managing both the operational aspects of the club and the emotional toll of the tragedy.
As the community mourns the loss of 14 members from the figure skating world, Zeghibe highlighted the healing power of focusing on the future and positive aspects of the sport. He stressed the need to support members day by day while also planning for the road ahead. In the midst of grief, the determination to honor the lives lost and move forward serves as a guiding light for the club and the broader figure skating community.
