There is no guide on how to respond when 67 people die in an air traffic disaster. The U.S. figure skating community — which lost 28 people in the crash between an American Airlines plane and an Army helicopter outside Reagan National Airport last month — decided to honor the deceased by putting on a show.
The Legacy on Ice event at Capital One Arena on Sunday will recognize the skaters, coaches and parents who died in the January crash while raising money for first responders and the affected families. The benefit will feature figure skating royalty like two-time world champion Brian Boitano, reigning Olympic champion Nathan Chen and U.S. Figure Skating Hall of Famer Nancy Kerrigan.
“As we begin to heal from this devastating loss, we look forward to honoring the enduring memories of these athletes, coaches and family members who represented the best of the figure skating community,” U.S. Figure Skating interim CEO Samuel Auxier said in a statement. “We can think of no better way of celebrating their legacies than through the sport they loved.”
The benefit is a production between U.S. Figure Skating and Monumental Sports & Entertainment, the primary owner of the Washington Wizards and Capitals.
The event has grown since it was first announced a week after the crash, when the figure skating community was reeling from the tragedy. In the weeks since, more and more skaters from around the country said they wanted to take the ice. District of Columbia-area sports teams and organizations have offered to donate funds and items. More fans have bought tickets. Monumental officials expect Sunday’s event to be a sellout.
“We have been overwhelmed by the amount of people that want to be a part of this,” said Lakeisha Roberts, Monumental’s vice president of booking. “We have more people that want to participate or skate or join in some way that we don’t have time for.”
The two-hour show starts at 3 p.m. Sunday, featuring unique tributes and more typical figure skating routines from the country’s top athletes.
Offers of assistance have extended beyond the skating community. The Washington Commanders, Capitals, Nationals and Wizards have all offered unique memorabilia for an auction to raise money for the U.S. Figure Skating Family Support Fund, Greater Washington Community Foundation’s “DCA Together Relief Fund” and the D.C. Fire & EMS Foundation.
An online charity auction will open Sunday afternoon to raise additional funds.
Sports fans can bid on unique items like suite tickets to the Commanders’ 2025 season opener, a hockey jersey autographed by the band O.A.R. and packages to see concerts at Jiffy Lube Live, the Anthem or the Fillmore Silver Spring. D.C.’s professional teams have also donated team-signed items to the cause.
“All the organizations all coming together to support this has been great to see,” Ms. Roberts said. “And additionally, the people that are, you know, coming online and buying tickets and wanting to support and donating money. It’s very encouraging. It’s heartwarming.”
The organizers said attendees on Sunday should expect elite performances that “weave in storytelling as a poignant tribute.”
Almost every big name in the American figure skating community is expected to attend. Boitano and his cohost, 1992 Olympic champion Kristi Yamaguchi, will introduce more than 30 figure skaters ranging from 1968 gold medalist Peggy Fleming to Amber Glenn, the winner of last year’s Grand Prix Final.
Ticketmaster waived its usual ticket fees for the showcase, which was possible due to donated time and materials, according to Monumental. The organizers said they will donate all proceeds to first responders, U.S. Figure Skating and the “DCA Together” fund.
The financial aspect isn’t the only positive outcome from the festivities. During discussions with reporters, the skaters and organizers have described the benefit as a kind of group therapy session.
They reasoned that dealing with tragedy is easier when a community can do it together.
“This is a platform to be able to let people emote,” Monumental CEO Ted Leonsis said this month. “This has struck so many different people around Washington, D.C., in a very, very emotional way. We really want to make a platform for the entire extended community to come together.”
A once-in-a-lifetime tragedy for the figure skating community has also paved the way for a unique celebration of the sport. In addition to the Hall of Famers and Olympians on hand, the organizers will host the skating clubs from Boston and Northern Virginia that were most affected by the crash.
“Such an extraordinary number of skating icons have really never been put together like this — like past champions and current champions and even hopefuls all supporting the cause,” Botiano said. “It says so much about our figure skating community and how tight-knit we are and the support that we have for each other.”
Sunday’s event will stream live on Peacock, Monumental Sports Network and Monumental+. An encore will air on NBC on March 30.
• This article is based in part on wire service reports.
• Liam Griffin can be reached at lgriffin@washingtontimes.com.