You know those rare athletes who just look like they’re having the time of their lives every time they step into the spotlight? That was Jinna Han. If you ever saw her skate at the Skating Club of Boston, you’d know exactly what I’m talking about. She didn't just go through the motions. She had this specific, light-on-her-feet energy that made a 1,000-seat arena feel like a backyard rink.
Honestly, the figure skating world is usually pretty stiff. It’s all about rigid edges and perfect posture. But Jinna? She felt human. At just 13 years old, she was basically on the cusp of becoming a household name in the skating community before the tragedy in early 2025. It’s one of those "what could have been" stories that actually hurts to talk about because the talent was so obvious.
Why Jinna Han figure skating fans were so excited
Look at the numbers from the 2024-2025 season. They don't lie. Jinna wasn't just "good for her age"; she was technically advanced in a way that had coaches from other clubs whispering. She had recently transitioned into the Novice Women’s category and was already holding her own against girls two or three years older.
Her performance at the 2025 Eastern Sectional Singles Final was a massive turning point. She placed fourth overall, but it was the way she did it that mattered. She landed a clean Triple Lutz and a Triple Loop-Double Toeloop combination. For a 13-year-old, that’s huge. That fourth-place finish wasn't just a trophy on a shelf—it earned her a spot on the U.S. Figure Skating National Development Team.
That's the big leagues for a junior. It’s the pipeline for the Olympics.
The technical breakdown: What made her different?
Most skaters have a "tell." You can see them preparing for a jump three seconds before they actually take off. Jinna didn't really have that. Her transitions were surprisingly smooth for someone who hadn't even hit her mid-teens.
- The Lutz: Her Triple Lutz had real height.
- Performance: She actually smiled. Not a "pageant smile," but a genuine, "I love being here" look.
- The Spins: She was hitting Level 4 on her Change Foot Combination Spins regularly.
She was training at the facility in Norwood, Massachusetts, under some of the best eyes in the business. People like Jimmy Ma and Nancy Kerrigan have spoken about her potential. Ma once mentioned that at 13, he couldn't do half of what Jinna was pulling off. That’s high praise coming from a guy who’s been to the World Championships.
The National Development Camp and Wichita
In January 2025, Jinna traveled to Wichita, Kansas. This wasn't just another practice session. It was the National Development Camp, a gathering of the top young talent in the United States. It’s where the "next big thing" usually gets spotted.
She was there with her mother, Jin Hee Han, who was basically her biggest cheerleader and a fixture at the rink. Reports from the camp said Jinna was thriving. She was known for her "relay race" energy on the ice—just a kid enjoying the sport. She was planning to move up to the Junior ranks for the next season.
Then, the unthinkable happened. On January 29, 2025, the mid-air collision over Washington D.C. involving American Airlines Flight 5342 took the lives of several members of the figure skating community. Jinna and her mother were among them.
A legacy beyond the podium
It’s easy to get caught up in the scores and the technical elements. But if you ask the people at the Skating Club of Boston, they don't talk about her Triple Lutz first. They talk about how she treated people.
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Jinna was the kind of skater who would stay late to cheer on the younger kids. She was "wise beyond her years," a phrase that gets tossed around a lot, but by all accounts, she actually lived it. In an era where sports can feel like a business even for kids, she kept it fun. She loved viral dances, getting her nails done with friends, and just being a teenager.
The club has since established the Jinna Han Award for Excellence. It’s not just for the person who wins the most medals. It’s for the skater who shows the same tenacity and support for others that Jinna did.
What we can learn from her journey
If you’re a young skater or a parent looking at the Jinna Han figure skating story, there are some pretty clear takeaways.
- Work the transitions. Jinna stood out because her skating was cohesive, not just a series of jumps.
- Resilience matters. She dealt with an injury earlier in the 2024 season but fought back to qualify for the National Development Team.
- Community over competition. Your reputation in the locker room matters as much as your score on the IJS (International Judging System).
The skating world is smaller and more tight-knit than it looks from the outside. When someone like Jinna is lost, the ripple effect is massive. She was a "rising star" in the most literal sense—not because of the hype, but because of the work she put in every morning in Norwood.
To truly honor her legacy, the best thing the skating community can do is carry that same "lightness" she had. Support the skater next to you. Smile when the music starts. Land the jump, sure, but don't forget why you started skating in the first place.
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Next steps for supporters and skaters:
- Check out the Always Champions memorial page at the Skating Club of Boston to see how the community is supporting the Han family.
- Review the U.S. Figure Skating Memorial Fund, which helps provide grants to athletes who show the same dedication Jinna exhibited.
- Watch her 2025 Eastern Sectionals footage—it’s a masterclass in how to perform with joy even under the pressure of a qualifying event.