WEST ALLIS, WISC. – The nation’s top speed skaters are still processing the news of 14 members of the national figure skating team that lost their lives Wednesday night in a plane crash near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.
The athletes are in the Milwaukee area this weekend to participate in the ISU Speed Skating World Cup at the Pettit National Ice Center set to take place this weekend.
Speed skater Sarah Warren says her thoughts and prayers go out to the friends and families of those lost.
“It’s an absolute tragedy. I mean, the world is just not fair and I think that is the only way to describe it,” said Warren. “My heart and my prayers go out to everyone involved, the families, the whole figure skating community, the whole skating community obviously that hits really close to home.”
U.S. Speed Skating Long Track National Team Head Coach Ryan Shimabukuro says that he only learned about the tragedy after waking up Thursday morning.
“To wake up to that tragic news, I’m heartbroken and my deepest condolences go out to the family and friends effected by this tragedy,” said Shimabukuro. “I mean sadly, you know when you travel this much as an international athlete and staff, there’s always a very small chance that something could go wrong and again, my heart is broken for them.”
The International Skating Union, saddened by Wednesday night’s crash released the following statement Thursday on X.
ISU Statement – American Airlines flight
— ISU Figure Skating (@ISU_Figure) January 30, 2025
The International Skating Union (ISU) and the global skating community are deeply shocked by the tragic accident involving an American Airlines flight in Washington, D.C. last night. We are heartbroken to learn that Figure Skaters, along… pic.twitter.com/pjgckj6YgJ
Unfortunately, this isn’t the first time such a tragedy has occurred for the national figure skating team.
Back in 1961, all 18 members of the U.S. Skating Team died in a plane crash in Belgium as the team was traveling to Prague at what was then Czechoslovakia for the World Figure Skating Championships.
