Plane Crash Victims Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov Wrote About Son in Final Post ArticlePure

Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov shared their pride about their son and figure skating pupil, Maxim Naumov, just days before they died in the American Airlines crash in Washington, D.C.

After Maxim, 23, finished fourth on Sunday, Jan. 26 in the senior men’s competition at the U.S. National Championships in Wichita, Kan., the 1994 World Figure Skating pairs champions posted happy memories of his success in the competition.

“Once again, Maxim made us all proud, getting on to the podium at Nationals after 7th place in the short,” they wrote in their last post on their joint Instagram on Monday, Jan. 27. “This beautiful and emotional performance is a result of team work.”

The retired athletes, who coached a number of young figure skaters at The Skating Club of Boston, also made sure to credit others for their son’s performance.

“Huge thanks to Serhii and Irina Vaypan and of course to Adam Blake for his wonderful choreography of a classic! Maxim has earned his place in the team of 4 Continents. ????????,” they added.

Shishkova, 52, and Naumov, 55, were among the 64 passengers killed aboard American Airlines 5342 when it collided with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter over Washington, D.C. Wednesday night.

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The husband and wife were returning after coaching at a U.S. Figure Skating development camp for young skaters. Maxim was not on the flight, the Skating Club of Boston confirmed.

The coaches also worked with Spencer Lane, 16, and Jinna Han, 13, who died in the crash along with their mothers, Christine Lane, 49, and Jin Han, in additional to other U.S. figure skaters from the D.C. area.

Spencer was among the first to cheer on Maxim, commenting on his parents’ post earlier this week: “YAY MAX!!!”

On the Today show on Friday, Jan. 31, skating champion Scott Hamilton took time to share his thoughts about the Naumov family.

“When you’re in skating, there are no national boundaries,” Hamilton, 66, said. “We all have a shared experience and we understand what it takes to get to that level. And Shishkova and Naumov were amazing champion skaters that want to build their professional lives in America.”

He continued, “Max, he’s an extraordinary talent. A few years ago at one of our Sk8 to Elimin8 Cancer events, he put on a skin head wig and skated to ‘Walk this Way’ in tribute to me. And he’s got a great sense of humor. I actually sat with him for a nice visit in Wichita.”

Shishkova and Naumov frequently shared highlights about their skating students, but they also took time away from the ice to have fun with Maxim.

In April 2023, the family visited Jamaica and posted memories of their trip on social media, calling it the “best vacation ever.”