URBANDALE, Iowa — The tragic crash of a military helicopter and an American Airlines jet has impacted many across the country, including figure skating groups in Iowa.

Twelve passengers on the airliner were returning from a skating event in Wichita.

“We offer our deepest condolences we, we our heartbreak, we cried with the figure skating world community, it is a small small community,” said Yukiko Collins, of the Central Iowa Skating Club. We are all small family. Everybody knows everybody I know someone in our club who knew someone on the airplane personally.”

For members of this skating club it’s hours of early morning practice, falling on the ice, getting up again, and traveling to compete all over.

Those in the Central Iowa Skating Club have an emotional connection to those who lost their lives.

“The beautiful souls who lost their life so soon, that the nature of sport you fall and get back up again,” said Collins. “I just had this difficult conversation with my daughter yesterday. Tomorrow is not guaranteed. Do your best give your 110% today.”

Collins said all in the figure skating community were aware of the skating event in Wichita. She said there will be another such event in March. The skating community will turn out for that as a way to honor those who lost their lives.

Those in the Central Iowa Skating Club love this sport.

“They literally defy the laws of gravity when they spin and jump in the air,” said Collins. “They fall hard but what they do, they get back up again and again to get to perfection. It’s very tough sport.”

For more on the Central Iowa Figure Skating Club click here.

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