Figure skating champions to perform at benefit for D.C. plane crash

Many of America’s top figure skaters will gather in Washington, D.C., for a live “Legacy on Ice” tribute show to support families impacted by the January 29 plane crash that killed young skaters returning home from a training camp.

Cohosted by Olympic champion Brian Boitano, the March 2 event at Capital One Arena will feature current U.S. champions Ilia Malinin, Amber Glenn, Alysa Liu, Madison Chock and Evan Bates, plus retired U.S. gold medallists Tara Lipinski, Kristi Yamaguchi, Scott Hamilton and Johnny Weir.

“As we begin to heal from this devastating loss, we look forward to honouring the enduring memories of these athletes, coaches and family members who represented the best of the figure skating community,” U.S. Figure Skating interim CEO Samuel Auxier said in a statement.

“We can think of no better way of celebrating their legacies than through the sport they loved.”

All proceeds will be collected by the Monumental Sports & Entertainment Foundation and distributed equally between the U.S. Figure Skating Family Support Fund, Greater Washington Community Foundation’s “DCA Together Relief Fund” and DC Fire & EMS Foundation.

There were 64 people on board the commercial flight that crashed after colliding with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter, including many young Olympic hopefuls. U.S. Figure Skating said a total of 28 people on the plane were connected to the sport, including coaches, athletes and their relatives.

World figure skating champions and coaching pair Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov were among the passengers killed.

—Lori Ewing, Reuters