The hardest program of a career: Maxim Naumov in Milan
While the world prepares for the 2026 Winter Games in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo, a palpable emotional weight hangs over the ice rink. For one athlete in particular, the American Maxim Naumov, the road to this ice has not been paved with golden dreams alone, but with an unimaginable perseverance. In my thirty years in the dance and entertainment world, I have seen many stories of sacrifice, but what Max is showing this year touches the core of what it means to be a performer.
Four weeks ago, we saw Max in St. Louis, sitting on the bench next to the rink. Emotions took over after he performed the program that secured his ticket to Milan. In his hands, he held an old family photo: a small boy holding his parents' hands. It is an image that cuts to the bone, because Max is the only one in that photo who is still here today to celebrate this success. It has now been a little over a year since the skating world was shocked by a tragedy that changed the sport forever.
The fatal night of Flight 5342
On January 29, 2025, a disaster occurred that struck the heart of American figure skating. American Airlines Flight 5342, en route from Wichita to Reagan National Airport in Washington D.C., collided with a Black Hawk helicopter during landing. The aircraft crashed into the icy Potomac River. All 64 passengers on the plane and the three crew members of the helicopter perished. Among the victims were 28 members of the skating community, including promising young talents, officials, and coaches.
Among those coaches were Vadim Naumov and Evgenia Shishkova, Maxim's parents. As a dancer, I understand the bond between a coach and a pupil, but in figure skating — and certainly with the Naumov family — that bond was many times deeper. Vadim and Evgenia were not just coaches; they were world champions in pairs skating (1994) and formed an inseparable team with their son. The loss of these icons left a gaping hole in the clubs of Boston and Washington.
An echo from the past
What makes this tragedy extra poignant is the historical parallel. In 1961, the United States also lost an entire national team in a plane crash near Brussels. At the time, it was thought the sport would never recover from that blow. Now, in 2026, we see how the community rises from the ashes once again. An NTSB investigation revealed that the 2025 crash could have been one hundred percent prevented with better communication and a relatively inexpensive GPS system. That only makes the grief for the survivors, including Max, more complex.
In a recent report from Yahoo Sports, it is described how the skating world has grown closer together in the aftermath of the disaster. Clubs opened their doors for grief counseling on the ice, therapy dogs were brought in, and a safety net emerged that helped Max even put his skates back on in the first place.
The power of 'Performance' as therapy
From my experience at Miss Salsa, I know that the dance floor — or in this case, the ice — is often a refuge. When life falls apart outside the lines, the music and choreography provide a structure to cling to. Maxim Naumov is the ultimate example of this. He could have thrown in the towel. No one would have blamed him. But he chose to continue the dream he shared with his parents alone.
His training mate Jimmy Ma put it aptly in an interview: Max no longer trains just for himself; he trains with his parents in his spirit. You can see that reflected in his technique. The precision his father taught him and the artistry he received from his mother now merge into a maturity we rarely see at this age. He skates with a kind of weightlessness, as if he is being carried.
What we can learn from this resilience
For us as dancers and sports enthusiasts, Maxim Naumov's story is a lesson in humility and perseverance. We sometimes complain about an injury, a missed step, or judging that doesn't go our way. But when you look at a young man who finds the strength to perform on the highest world stage while carrying the greatest personal loss, it puts everything into perspective.
Figure skating in the US has always been a close-knit community, comparable to the passion we see in the salsa world. It's about more than just the sport; it's about the family you choose. The support Max receives from the Skating Club of Boston and fans worldwide shows that you are never alone, provided you have the courage to show your vulnerability.
The Games in Milan: More than medals
When Maxim Naumov steps onto the ice in Milan this week, the whole world will be watching. Not just to see if he lands a quad or performs his spins perfectly, but to witness a tribute. According to People.com, it was always the family's goal to go to these Games together. That he stands there alone now is heartbreaking, but his presence there is already a victory in itself.
At Miss Salsa, we follow these kinds of stories closely because they show that sport and dance have the power to heal. Max shows us that 'the show must go on,' not out of a sense of duty, but as a way to keep those we love alive in our movements. We wish Max and the entire American team a great deal of strength and success in Milan. He may be skating alone, but he is carried by the memory of two greats and the support of an entire nation.