Inside the Heart of the Figure Skating Community

Figure skating is a unique sport. In most brackets, you compete individually, meaning that you train only to improve your personal techniques. Still, many athletes grow up training alongside their peers as they progress at similar speeds and work toward the same goals. Much like any team sport, members of a particular skating club grow to be a cohesive community, with consistent support for others, despite also being competitors. 

This applies even more so to competitive intercollegiate figure skating. Take it from Juliana Prete, senior and co-president of Sacred Heart University’s figure skating team, affectionately referred to as the SHUFS. 

“This team is one of the most supportive groups of people I have ever met and they create such a strong bond that I have never experienced before,” Prete said. “This tightly knit bond is why figure skating is one of the most important things in my life.” 

As a member of the SHUFS, I can strongly relate to this notion. I have been involved with various sports and organizations throughout my life, and this team has easily been the most supportive group I’ve had the pleasure of being a part of. 

This sense of community extends far beyond just our team because so many figure skaters grow up deeply intertwined with those around them. Sacred Heart’s Head Figure Skating Coach, Lisa Fedick said, “The skating community has always been a very tightknit family, everyone connected by one or two degrees of separation.” 

This is why the fatal plane crash that occurred on Jan. 29 in Washington D.C. had such a deep impact on the figure skating community. Amongst the victims of the tragedy, were 14 members of the U.S. Figure Skating Association (USFSA), as well as some of their families, according to the Associated Press. 

“What struck me immediately hearing the names of those who were lost, was the magnitude of their loss to the entire skating community. The knowledge, skills, and wisdom of those who perished will never be replaced,” said Fedick. 

These skaters were returning from a development camp in Wichita, Kan. According to the USFSA website, at this camp “athletes participate in a three-day educational training program to accelerate their exposure to High Performance Programs and Team USA.” 

Six of these skaters were members of the Skating Club of Boston (SCoB). 

Junior and member of SHUFS, Sophie Iannelli, was a member of the SCoB for nearly nine years. Iannelli said “I feel the pain that this tragedy has caused in my community, and to those that I grew up with. Watching my community break down with this loss has been incredibly difficult.” 

One victim of the accident, Alexandr “Sasha” Kirsanov, was a coach at the University of Delaware Figure Skating Club. Fedick recalled fond memories of Kirsanov. 

“I always looked forward to seeing him at competitions, he was always happy and upbeat, and so supportive and helpful to all of the skaters, not just his own,” Fedick said. “He was one of those people who just made you feel good to be in his aura… We will miss him.” 

Two days after the plane crash occurred, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) hosted an intercollegiate figure skating competition for all teams that compete in the northeast region. The event began with a moment of silence in honor of the victims of the accident. 

In light of the devastating occurrence, skaters found some level of comfort with one another. 

“The experience of the MIT competition was one that for me, was filled with gratitude and grief. Seeing my friends from many different parts of my skating life was something that I didn’t know I needed after such a tragedy, but the closeness I feel to figure skating has increased tenfold after this competitive experience,” Iannelli said. 

Prete shared similar feelings. 

“I, along with several other skaters at the competition, dedicated my performance to these skaters who lost their lives. The support for one another was beautiful.” Prete said. “We were all there to support each other.”

Emotions were high for most competitors at the 2025 MIT Figure Skating Classic, but this also inspired powerful performances. 

Fedick said, “I watched one personal best after another, and their pure love of their sport was almost palpable in every performance.” 

Iannelli said, “Seeing a community that can be often filled with competitiveness and rivalry come together in a time of crisis has been beautiful, even though the reason for the togetherness is a heartbreaking one.” 

Because of the gravity of this tragedy, there is no doubt in my mind that its impact will be felt for years to come, whether through grief, inspiration, heartbreak, or some other incomprehensible combination of feelings. 

“This has definitely changed how I view every single practice, performance, or whatever else I am doing. The heartbreak I and so many of my friends have experienced has allowed me to understand the true privilege it is to be able to skate,” Iannelli said. 

About the author

Leave a Reply