BBC News

Image source, Getty Images

A pair of 16-year-old skaters, their mothers, and two Russian coaches were among the passengers on board an aeroplane that hit a helicopter above Washington DC on Wednesday evening, the group's club in Boston says.

They were named as teenagers Spencer Lane and Jinna Hahn, their mothers Christine Lane and Jin Hahn, and their Russian coaches Yevgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov - who are former world-champion skaters.

US officials say they do not expect any survivors from the crash, and that at least 28 bodies have been recovered from scene.

The plane was carrying 64 passengers and crew when it collided in mid-air with a US Army helicopter just after 21:00 local time on Wednesday (02:00 GMT).

It then fell into the ice-cold Potomac River.

As many as 15 people on the flight may have been involved in figure skating in total, an unnamed source told the Reuters news agency.Read this story in full on the BBC News website and app.

BBC News

US Figure Skating - the American governing body for the sport - has confirmed in a statement that several members of its skating community were on board the American Airlines Flight 5342 that collided in mid-air with a Black Hawk helicopter in Washington DC, with both crashing in the Potomac River.

"These athletes, coaches, and family members were returning home from the National Development Camp held in conjunction with the U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Wichita, Kansas," the statement reads.

"We are devastated by this unspeakable tragedy and hold the victims’ families closely in our hearts. We will continue to monitor the situation and will release more information as it becomes available."

The 2025 Prevagen US Figure Skating Championships were held in Wichita, Kansas between 20-26 January.

A minute's silence was held before the ISU Figure Skating Championships in Tallinn, Estonia on Thursday as a mark of respect for those involved in the crash.

Get the latest on this breaking story here.Read more on this story here

BBC Sport

Women's Singles: Kristen Spours

Kristen Spours comes into the European Championships off the back of a gold medal in the women's singles event at the 2024 British figure skating championships. A five time British Championship medalist, (one gold, two sliver, two bronze) Spours will be looking for her first European podium finish.

Men's Singles: Edward Appleby

At only twenty years of age, Appleby comes into the European Championships having successfully defended his Men's Singles title at the British Figure Skating Championship in Sheffield in November. Like Spours, Appleby will be looking for his first European Championship medal.

Image source, Getty Images

Pairs: Anastasia Vaipan-Law & Luke Digby

The formidable duo of Anastasia Vaipan-Law and Luke Digby will head to Talinn, Estonia after winning the British Pairs title for a fourth consecutive year. With their dominance at the national level, Vaipan-Law and Digby will be hoping to replicate their fine form to earn their first podium finish on the European stage.

Image source, Getty Images

Ice Dance: Lilah Fear & Lewis Gibson/Phebe Bekker & James Hernandez

Team GB will have two pairs taking part in the Ice Dance event. First, the duo of Lilah Fear and Lewis Gibson who have won the last four Ice Dance titles at the British Championships. Former European Championship silver medalists, Fear and Gibson will be hoping to go one step further in Talinn to win Ice Dance gold for the first time.

Image source, Getty Images

Meanwhile, Phebe Bekker and James Hernandez come into the tournament following back to back Ice Dance silver medals at the British Championships - the duo will be hoping to translate their recent success into European silverware as the pair aim for their first ever podium finish at the European Championships.

BBC iPlayer

Watch live BBC TV coverage of the 2025 European Figure Skating Championships taking place in Tallinn, Estonia from Wednesday 29th January to Saturday 1st February.

Thursday 30th January

Men's Short Programme (11:00 - 16:00) - Coverage available via BBC Red Button, BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website

Pairs Free Skating (17:00 - 20:10) - Coverage available via BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website

Friday 31st January

Ice Dance - Rhythm Dance (10:30 - 14:50) - Coverage available via BBC Red Button, BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website

Women's Free Skating (16:00 - 20:15) - Coverage available via BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website

Saturday 1st February

Ice Dance - Free Dance (11:00 - 14:40) - Coverage available via BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website

Men's Free Skating (16:00 - 20:15) - Coverage available via BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website

BBC Sport

How do I start?

If you're a beginner you can check out Skate UK, external - a 10-stage programme to help get you started.

But what is it?

There's figure skating and speed skating - sports you may have seen at the Winter Olympics. But skating doesn't have to be competitive. You can put on a pair of skates (which you can hire at rinks) and start gliding across the ice. It's best to make sure you can skate in a straight line before you attempt jumps and turns.

Is it for me?

Ice skating is for anybody and easy to learn, whether you just want a bit of fun with friends or are serious about joining a team.

What to expect when I get there?

• If you haven't skated before, you might be scared of taking a fall on the ice. But don't worry, most people will take a tumble at some point and you'll be surprised at how quickly your balance will improve.
• There's an emphasis on quick foot movement and supple knees, so you'll also improve your flexibility.
• The focus on lower-body movement will help build leg muscles.
• Concentration is key, so ice skating can be mentally stimulating.
• You can start young - Skate Tots , externalis a training programme for pre-school children to enjoy.
• Inclusive Skating, external is an organisation that is striving to make ice skating accessible, and they have devised a scoring system that allows disadvantaged skaters to compete alongside able-bodied competitors.