Winners: Joannie Rochette, Figure Skating

Joannie Rochette competing at the Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver.
Date:February 25, 2010
Collection:The Canadian Press/Paul Chiasson

2010 - Feature Story

Just three days before the ladies’ figure skating competition at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver, Joannie Rochette experienced personal tragedy upon learning the news that her mother had passed away of a heart attack. Deciding to compete in her honour, Rochette had the best short program of her life, in recording a personal high 71.36 points. In the long program, Rochette skated strong enough to hang on to her Olympic Bronze medal position and beat out American Mirai Nagasu by 12.69 points. Rochette’s outstanding performance under such excruciating circumstances became one of the 2010 Games’ most heart-warming stories. At the Olympic Figure Skating Gala, Rochette performed to Celine Dion’s “Vole”, and upon completing her skate, Rochette reached out her hands and looked upward, to pay tribute to her mother. Rochette then went on to carry the flag for Canada at the Closing Ceremonies of the 2010 Games. 

Career Highlights

• 2010 Bobbie Rosenfeld Award (Canada’s female athlete of the year)
• 2010 Bronze medallist in Ladies’ singles figure skating at the Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver
• 2009 Silver medallist at the World Figure Skating Championships in Los Angeles
• 2005 Bronze medallist at the ISU Grand Prix Final in Beijing
• 2005-2010 Canadian Ladies’ Figure Skating Champion