Rising ice dancing couple among the youngest victims of deadly Washington plane crash
A young ice-skating duo has been confirmed as two of the youngest victims of the deadly crash near Reagan Washington National Airport on Wednesday evening.
Figure skaters Angela Yang and Sean Kay were among the 67 people killed when an American Airlines regional passenger jet and a US Army Black Hawk helicopter collided mid-air, causing both aircraft to crash into the Potomac River.
The pair had been returning from the National Development Camp held from January 20 to 26 in Wichita, Kansas.
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Yang posted on Instagram on January 29 that she “had so much fun at camp”, hours before she was confirmed dead alongside her ice dance partner, Sean Kay, and their coach, Alexandr “Sasha” Kirsanov.
Kirsanov’s wife, Natalia Gudin told Dalaware Online that her husband and the young duo were on the deadly flight.
“This young team – Sean Kay and Angela Yang – they were so amazing. All the judges were so proud and they had such a big future,” Gudin said.
The big future ahead of the duo
Yang was featured in a Skater Spotlight post by the University of Delaware Figure Skating Club (UDFSC), where she shared her deep passion for ice dancing.
“Growing up, both my sister and brother played hockey, and watching them inspired me to start skating, too. I began by playing hockey, but over time, I discovered a passion for ice dance. I realised that my skill for ice dancing would far surpass my hockey ability, so I’ve committed to ice dance since then.”
She had aspired to compete at Nationals one day.
“My goals are to make it to Nationals this season for Solo Dance and Finals ice dance next year. I also just hope to skate the best I can, especially at the 2025 Finals later this month, and to keep improving every day!”
She was serious about her goal — Yang and Kay won first place in the US Ice Dance competition in November.
Kay was also awarded the first in Excel Juvenile Plus Boys at the 2023 Excel Series Final, according to UDFSC.
Skating tragedy
US Figure Skating confirmed that several skaters, coaches, and their family members were on board the flight, returning home from the National Development Camp, which is held in conjunction with the national championships.
Among those killed were Jinna Han, 13, and Spencer Lane, 16, both members of the Skating Club of Boston, along with their mothers and coaches.
This is not the first time the US figure skating community has been affected by a tragic plane crash.
On February 15, 1961, an entire US figure skating team perished in the crash of Sabena Flight 548.
All 72 people on board, including skaters, their families, coaches, and friends, were killed when the plane, en route to Prague, crashed near Brussels, Belgium.
Originally published on 7NEWS
