Skating Club of Boston mourns crash, recalls tragic history

The Skating Club of Boston is mourning the loss of two teenage skaters, their mothers, and two coaches who died in a plane collision with an Army helicopter near Reagan National Airport. This tragedy strikes particularly hard for the club, which has a history of severe losses in aviation accidents, including the 1961 crash that killed the entire U.S. skating team, including ten members from Boston. Founded in 1912, the club has played a significant role in American figure skating, fostering numerous Olympic and national champions. The club's executive director emphasized the long-term impact of these tragedies on the sport and the community. This recent incident follows a national development camp in Kansas, where members were returning from participating in competitions. The Skating Club of Boston remains a prominent institution in figure skating, despite facing immense challenges over its century-long history.