Figure skating legends are in their final rehearsals on Sunday at Capital One Arena for Legacy on Ice, an event to honor the DCA crash victims that tragically lost their lives. News4’s Aimee Cho reports.
The figure skating tribute event "Legacy on Ice" will take place on Sunday, March 2 to honor the lives lost when a plane and helicopter collided over the Potomac River earlier this year.
The event will be held at Capital One Arena in D.C. from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Final rehearsals were underway on Saturday and Sunday ahead of the powerful performance.
The money raised from Legacy on Ice will go to first responders, aviation workers and families of the victims. About 400 first responders and their families will be in attendance. They will have the chance to meet the families of the victims for the first time.
One of the songs the skaters will perform to is "Hero" by Mariah Carey, in honor of the first responders from the crash.
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"The fact that this happened, so quickly, the show just being brought together so quick is truly remarkable and I'm just really glad that everyone can make it and do something good for our community," Alysa Liu, 2022 World Bronze medalist, said.
Several victims in the crash were known and loved by community members across the D.C. area. 2024 World Championship skater Ilia Malinin, from Reston, Virginia will be one of the performers to honor several friends lost in the crash.
"They looked up to me as their role model, and it's very heartbreaking to see that I wouldn't be able to see them anymore," he said. "I still can't really process the thoughts and emotions of them not being here anymore."
Ted Leonsis, the CEO of Monumental Sports and Entertainment, knew several of the coaches and families who died on the plane. They had skated at the Capitals’ practice rink in Ballston, Virginia.
“The world’s best skaters through history will be here,” Leonsis said. “We take it very, very seriously. Our goal is to raise as much money as we can but also to capture the life and experiences these children had.”
Who is performing in Legacy on Ice?
Monumental Sports announced a star-studded lineup of who will be performing in the show. Nathan Chen, Nancy Kerrigan and reigning ice dancing world champions Madison Chock and Evan Bates are among the skaters set to participate.
Cast members are subject to change, according to Monumental Sports. Here is the full list of performers.
- Jeremy Abbott, 2014 Olympic Team Bronze Medalist
- Sofia Bezkorovainaya, 2024-25 Team USA
- Brian Boitano, 1988 Olympic Champion
- Emily Bratti and Ian Somerville, 2024 U.S. Bronze Medalists
- Jason Brown, 2014 Olympic Team Bronze Medalist
- Ashley Cain, Two-Time U.S. Pairs National Champion
- Christina Carreira and Anthony Ponomarenko, Two-Time Four Continents Ice Dance Bronze Medalists
- Kitty and Peter Carruthers, 1984 Olympic Pairs Silver Medalists
- Molly Cesanek and Yehor Yehorov, 2020 U.S. Junior Pewter Medalists
- Nathan Chen, Two-Time Olympic Gold Medalist
- Madison Chock and Evan Bates, 2022 Olympic Team Gold Medalists
- Richard Dwyer, U.S. Figure Skating Hall of Famer
- Alisa Efimova and Misha Mitrofanov, 2025 U.S. Pairs Champions
- Sarah Everhardt, 2025 Four Continents Bronze Medalist
- Peggy Fleming, 1968 Olympic Champion
- Amber Glenn*, 2024 Grand Prix Final Champion
- Gracie Gold, 2014 Olympic Team Bronze Medalist
- Scott Hamilton*, 1984 Olympic Champion
- Nancy Kerrigan, 1994 Olympic Silver Medalist
- Ilia Kulik, 1998 Olympic Champion
- Isabeau Levito, 2024 World Silver Medalist
- Alysa Liu*, 2022 World Bronze Medalist
- Jimmy Ma, 2025 Four Continents Bronze Medalist
- Ilia Malinin*, 2024 World Champion
- Katie McBeath and Daniil Parkman, 2025 U.S. Pairs Silver Medalists
- Yebin Mok, 1998-2008 Team USA
- Camden Pulkinen, Two-Time U.S. Bronze Medalist
- Andrew Torgashev, 2025 U.S. Silver Medalist
- Michael Weiss, Two-Time World Bronze Medalist
- Johnny Weir*, Three-Time U.S. Champion
- Paul Wylie, 1992 Olympic Silver Medalist
- Kristi Yamaguchi*, 1992 Olympic Champion
Legacy on Ice starts at 3 p.m. ET Sunday at Capital One Arena and can be watched live on Peacock. NBC will broadcast the show again on March 30 at 1 p.m.