Peggy Fleming: A Bridge Between Tragedies, An Icon of Hope

Peggy Fleming, a name synonymous with grace, athleticism, and the golden age of figure skating, found herself grappling with a resurgence of painful memories on the morning of January 30th. While visiting a friend in California, she received a call from her husband, Greg Jenkins, delivering news that sent shivers down her spine: a plane crash in Washington, D.C., involving members of the U.S. figure skating community. Young skaters, their parents, and coaches had been caught in a devastating mid-air collision.

As the news reports flickered across the television screen, Fleming was instantly transported back to another time, another tragedy that had irrevocably shaped her life and the trajectory of American figure skating. "What a flashback it was," she recounted in a recent phone interview, her voice tinged with sadness. "It was like it was happening all over again."

The parallel was stark and unsettling. On February 15, 1961, Fleming, then a promising 12-year-old skater in Southern California, awoke to the horrifying news that her coach, William Kipp, and the entire U.S. figure skating delegation – 18 skaters and 16 officials, coaches, judges, and family members – had perished in a plane crash near Brussels. They were en route to the world championships in Prague when their Sabena Flight 548 went down.

"I heard it right before I went to school that day," Fleming recalled, the memory still vivid after decades. "My mom had seen it on television. And I just couldn’t believe it. It was just unreal. So I did go to school – you just don’t know the impact at that age – and I think of what a disaster that really was, and all those talented skaters, their lives just cut short, and all the top coaches in the U.S. were gone." The loss was profound, leaving a gaping hole in the American figure skating landscape.

The echoes of that tragedy resonated deeply with Fleming as she processed the horror of the recent mid-air collision near Reagan National Airport, claiming the lives of 11 skaters, four coaches, and 13 family members. A friend informed her about a memorial skating show, "Legacy on Ice," being organized at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C., to honor the victims. Without hesitation, Fleming contacted U.S. Figure Skating and offered her participation. "It’s all so tragic," she expressed, her empathy palpable. "We want the families to know we care."

This weekend, the 76-year-old Fleming will travel to Washington to participate in the Sunday afternoon show, a tribute to the 67 victims of the air disaster, including the young skaters and members of the skating community who were tragically killed on their way home from a national development camp following the U.S. championships in Wichita.

In this act of remembrance and support, Fleming serves as a poignant bridge connecting two unspeakable tragedies that bookend a significant era in her sport’s history, separated by 64 years. "It just brings back so many memories," she shared, her voice heavy with emotion. "I feel so bad for all these families. It’s heartbreaking."

While Fleming will not be showcasing her skating prowess on Sunday, she will play a crucial role as a presenter, offering an introduction during a segment of the show. "Are you kidding?" she quipped with a lighthearted laugh. "I’m not even bringing my skates. I’m just there to support."

Her mere presence at the show carries immense significance, according to 1988 Olympic gold medalist Brian Boitano, who is co-hosting the event alongside 1992 Olympic gold medalist Kristi Yamaguchi. "She saved figure skating," Boitano declared in a phone interview. "Out of the ashes comes the phoenix. She was the phoenix."

Indeed, Fleming’s rise to prominence in the wake of the 1961 tragedy is a testament to resilience and the enduring spirit of the sport. Following the devastating loss of the U.S. figure skating team, two coaches arrived in the United States seeking opportunities to rebuild their careers. First, England’s John Nicks mentored Fleming for a year, followed by Italy’s Carlo Fassi, who guided her throughout her competitive career.

Under their tutelage, Fleming blossomed into a skating prodigy, capturing five national titles from 1964 to 1968. Her crowning achievement came at the 1968 Winter Olympics in Grenoble, France, where she secured the gold medal with a performance that captivated the world.

Fleming’s Olympic victory was a pivotal moment for figure skating, propelling it into the television age and solidifying its popularity among audiences worldwide. It was a fitting transition that she later partnered with the legendary Dick Button to commentate on the sport for 28 years on ABC and ESPN, becoming a familiar and beloved voice for generations of skating enthusiasts.

John Nicks, now 95, reflected on Fleming’s extraordinary talent and unwavering determination. "She had everything come together to make a champion," he said. "Her physique, the self-confidence to perform under pressure, being such a likeable person – many, many things went into being Peggy Fleming."

Brian Boitano echoed this sentiment, hailing Fleming as "the ultimate icon of the sport." "When you think of figure skating," he concluded, "you think of Peggy Fleming." Her legacy extends far beyond her Olympic gold medal and her captivating performances. She represents hope in the face of tragedy, resilience in the aftermath of loss, and the enduring power of the human spirit to overcome adversity. Her presence at "Legacy on Ice" is a powerful symbol of unity and remembrance, a reminder that even in the darkest of times, the spirit of figure skating endures. She truly is a bridge between tragedies and an icon of hope.