Sean Kay and Angela Yang were just eleven years old, but they had already achieved something extraordinary: winning first place at the 2025 Midwestern Sectional U.S. Ice Dance Final. Their performance was a testament to their skill, chemistry, and dedication to figure skating. But their promising future was tragically cut short when their plane collided with a military helicopter near Washington, D.C., claiming the lives of all on board.
The accident left the figure skating community in mourning. Sean and Angela were not just talented athletes; they were beloved by their coaches, families, and peers. Their coach, Alexandr “Sasha” Kirsanov, who also perished in the crash, had been instrumental in their success. His wife, Natalia Gudin, shared her grief, recalling how proud she was of the young duo. “They were so amazing,” she said. “The judges saw a bright future for them. It’s a triple loss for me.”
Angela’s journey to the ice began with a dream of finding a partner who shared her passion. Her mother, Lily, made the bold decision to move the family to Delaware so Angela could train with top coaches. Meanwhile, Sean discovered his love for skating through his older sister. His mother, Julia, worked tirelessly as a night nurse while homeschooling her children to support Sean’s ambitions.
Their victory at the Midwestern Sectional Final was just the beginning. They were preparing to advance to intermediate competitions and continue their ascent in the skating world. But their dreams were tragically cut short, leaving behind heartbroken families and a community grappling with the loss. The crash also claimed the lives of other skaters, coaches, and family members, including 16-year-old Spencer Lane and Russian coaches Vadim Naumov and Evgenia Shishkova.
As tributes pour in from around the world, the figure skating community remembers Sean and Angela not just for their talent, but for the joy and inspiration they brought to the ice. Their story is a heartbreaking reminder of how fragile life can be, but also a celebration of the incredible impact they made in their short time.
