The event is noted especially for its catastrophic aftermath , in which most of the U.S. team died in the crash of Sabena Flight 548 on their way to the World Championships in Prague . Because many of the top American figure skaters ( including Carol Heiss and David Jenkins ) had retired from the sport after the 1960 Winter Olympics , new champions were crowned in all four disciplines
Sabena Flight 548
Sabena Flight 548
1961 U.S. Figure Skating Championships