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Several coaches and skaters with the United States figure skating team were on the flight from Wichita to Washington, D.C., that crashed Wednesday night, according to athletes. The skaters were part of the National Development Team, a training program for top juvenile figure skaters.
The U.S. Figure Skating Championships were held in Wichita from Jan. 20 to Jan. 26. Some young athletes stayed in the city until Jan. 28, for National Development Camp, an advanced training program.
Team USA pair skater Luke Wang told McClatchy News that skaters who qualified for the elite division stayed an extra day, after which Wang said several boarded American Airlines Flight 5342.
Wang and others were notified by U.S. Figure Skating via text after the crash. “Praying for all those on the flight from wichita to dc,” Wang wrote on X on Wednesday night. “among the passengers were skaters and coaches. absolutely heartbreaking.”
Another skater, Team USA ice dancer, Ethan Peal tweeted, “I am in shock. Praying for families and my skating community,” in response to the news.
McClatchy News has reached out to U.S. Figure Skating to confirm whether the skaters were on the flight but has yet to hear back.