Skating rinks are usually places of cold air and warm hearts. If you spent any time at the Ashburn Ice House in Virginia back in 2024, you probably saw a girl with a smile that could basically power the building’s lighting grid. That was Alydia Livingston. Most people called her "Liddy." She was 11 years old, full of "attitude" in the best way possible, and part of a duo known to the skating world as the Ice Skating Sisters.
Liddy wasn't just some kid playing on the ice. She was a competitor. She was a performer. Honestly, she was the kind of person who made everyone around her want to try a little harder.
Why Alydia Livingston Still Matters to Figure Skating
A lot of people search for the name "Lydia Livingston figure skater," but her actual name was Alydia. It's a small distinction, but it matters because Liddy was all about her own identity. While her older sister, Everly Livingston, was making waves in freestyle skating, Alydia was forging a different path. She was obsessed with ice dance.
If you've ever watched ice dance, you know it's not just about the jumps. It's about the connection to the music and the storytelling. Liddy had that in spades. In August 2024, she was filmed performing a solo ice dance routine that basically encapsulated her entire personality: sparkly, energetic, and completely fearless.
Even when she took what her coaches called "the craziest falls," she’d pop back up laughing. You can't teach that kind of resilience. You've either got it or you don't.
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The Rise of the Ice Skating Sisters
Alydia and Everly weren't just sisters; they were a brand, though they probably wouldn't have called it that. Under the Instagram handle @ice_skating_sisters, they shared the reality of the sport. It wasn't just the podiums. It was the early mornings, the grueling practice sessions, and the bond between two siblings who shared a single, massive dream.
- Alydia (Liddy): The ice dancer with the big personality and a new partner she was stoked to compete with.
- Everly: The freestyle powerhouse who had just placed fourth in Intermediate Women at the 2025 Eastern Sectional Singles Final.
- The Parents: Donna and Peter Livingston, who were so committed they built a rink in their backyard every single winter.
That backyard rink is where it all started. It wasn't about fame; it was about a dad who loved hockey wanting his girls to love the ice. And man, did they ever.
What Really Happened in January 2025
The skating community is tight-knit. It’s a small world. So, when the news broke on January 29, 2025, it didn't just ripple—it shattered things.
The Livingston family was flying home from the U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Wichita, Kansas. Everly had been attending the National Development Camp, a prestigious spot reserved only for the top young skaters in the country. They were on American Airlines Flight 5342.
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The plane collided with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter near the Potomac River. There were no survivors.
It’s one of those tragedies that feels too big to wrap your head around. Along with Liddy, Everly, and their parents, the crash took several other members of the skating community, including Everly's skating partner, Franco Aparicio, and their coach, Inna Volyanskaya.
Alydia’s Competitive Record and Legacy
Before the accident, Alydia was starting to see real results in her competitive career. She wasn't just a "social media skater." She had the stats to back it up.
At the 2024 Potomac Open, she placed fourth in the Pre-Juvenile Girls event. She also competed in the 2024 National Solo Dance Series, where she ranked 6th in the Eastern region and 15th nationally. Specifically, at the 2024 Chesapeake Open, she and her partner Riley Vinson took 4th in the Pre-Bronze Shadow Dance.
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Those numbers might seem like just data, but they represent hundreds of hours of work. They represent the "sparkle in her eyes" that her coach, Katrina, talked about whenever Liddy got in front of an audience.
The Dream Fund
Today, the name Livingston is attached to something bigger than a tragic headline. The Everly and Alydia Livingston Dream Fund was established through the Capitol Skating Fund. Its goal is simple: help other young skaters in the Washington D.C. area chase the same dreams the Livingston sisters had.
It’s a way to make sure that the energy Liddy brought to the Ashburn Ice House doesn't just evaporate.
Actionable Insights for the Skating Community
If you're a skater, a parent, or just someone moved by Alydia's story, there are ways to carry that spirit forward without getting lost in the sadness of it all.
- Support Grassroots Skating: The Dream Fund specifically targets skaters who need help with the crushing costs of ice time and coaching. Contributing or even just sharing the fund’s mission helps keep the "Ice Skating Sisters" legacy alive.
- Embrace the "Liddy" Attitude: Coaches often point out that Alydia loved the "silly" parts of skating. In a sport that can be brutally competitive and rigid, remembering to laugh after a fall is a legitimate skill.
- Safety Advocacy: In the wake of the Flight 5342 tragedy, the organization Families of Flight 5342 was formed. They work to address systemic safety issues in American airspace. Staying informed about these efforts is a way to honor the families involved.
Alydia Livingston wasn't just a figure skater. She was a kid who found her "sparkle" on a frozen sheet of water in a Virginia backyard. Whether she was competing at Nationals or just dancing to music in a costume she loved, she lived the sport completely. That's the part worth remembering.
To support the legacy of young athletes in the Washington D.C. area, you can look into the grants provided by the Capitol Skating Fund or follow the safety initiatives led by the families affected by the 2025 tragedy. Keeping the conversation focused on their passion—and the safety of those who follow in their footsteps—is the best way to honor the Livingston family.