Joannie Rochette

Four-time Canadian Champion

Powerful, dynamic and musical are words that describe four-time Canadian Ladies Champion Joannie Rochette. Her astounding presence on the ice immediately captures your attention. Skating since the age of 22 months, she made her first big mark on Canadian skating in 2000 and 2001, when she won the Novice and Junior titles back to back. The following year, she claimed the bronze medal in her senior debut.

A second-place finish at the 2003 Canadian Championships earned her a trip to the World Championships, to which she has returned every year since, placing in the top 10 three times. She has won several medals on the International Skating Union Grand Prix circuit and has qualified for the ISU Grand Prix Final twice, winning medals on both occasions. She has also twice placed on the podium at the ISU Four Continents Championships.

In 2006, she achieved a lifelong goal of competing in the Winter Olympics. She says returning to the Olympics, which in 2010 will be held in her home country of Canada, makes hard training that much easier. "Every day you go to training and you can feel it's so close," Rochette says. "Honestly, it is easy to feel motivated."

As Rochette has matured and grown so has her confidence and artistry. For the past five seasons she worked with renowned choreographer David Wilson, who she says had a profound impact on her skating. This year, she's decided to try some new approaches and former Canadian and World Ice Dance Champion Shae-Lynn Bourne has choreographed her short program, set to a classical interpretation of Gershwin's "Summertime." Lori Nichol is choreographing the long program.

Last spring, Rochette toured with Smucker's Stars on Ice Canada for the third time. "It's nice to be outside of a competitive environment," she says. "You just get on the ice and the fans are there to watch you skate. Everyone is happy to be there. It's good to be skating without that pressure and be able to perform more freely. It helps me for competition."

Rochette readily admits there is "no magic recipe" for success in skating. She aims to be consistent in every competition she enters. She's been working on triple/triple combinations for the past two years, and plans to include them in her competitive routine for 2008-09.

"I like training every day and giving myself a goal to learn a certain jump," she says. "Even though some days might be harder, you still go after it. There is nothing I dislike about my sport other than the cold."

Winter sports and ice continue into her personal life, which Rochette shares with boyfriend Francois-Louis Tremblay, a Canadian short track speed skater. She says they're mutually supportive and he's a great cook, who gladly prepares her healthy foods.

She's also inspired by the recent successes of fellow Canadian skaters Jeffrey Buttle, Jessica Dubˇ & Bryce Davison and Tessa Virtue & Scott Moir, all of whom won medals at the 2008 World Championships. Rochette is doing her utmost to join them in 2009. This summer, she and Buttle will join former Canadian Ladies Champion Jennifer Robinson on a humanitarian trip to South America with World Vision Canada.

In June 2006, Rochette was introduced as a member of the Bell Champions team, nine accomplished Olympic and Paralympic athletes from Ontario, Quebec, Alberta and British Colombia, who are national ambassadors for Bell Canada.

Away from skating, Rochette continues to pursue formal education at the College Andre-Grasset in Montreal, where she is studying natural and health sciences. "I'm very competitive at school as well," she says. "Sometimes nights are shorter when you're studying for an exam, but it's good to keep my head busy. When I'm done with my skating career, there's another life after it. When I'm ready for it, I want my studies to be there." She may continue to study science or shift her focus to business.

Her present goal is to compete through the 2010 season. After that, she will decide her future plans. Although she doesn't see herself becoming a coach, Rochette intends to stay connected to the skating.

Other off-ice interests include jumping trampoline, ballet, yoga, roller blading, reading, dancing and music.

For now, she wakes up each morning feeling the anticipation of the 2010 Winter Olympics. "Obviously, I would like to medal. That's my goal for those Games," Rochette says. "Having the opportunity to have the Olympic Games in your home country is awesome. It's very rare and a great opportunity."

Career Highlights

• 2008 World Championships - 5
• 2008 ISU Four Continents - 2
• 2008 Canadian Championships - 1
• 2007 Cup of Russia - 3
• 2007 Skate Canada - 3
• 2007 World Championships - 10
• 2007 ISU Four Continents - 3
• 2007 Canadian Championships - 1
• 2006 Skate Canada - 1
• 2006 Winter Olympics - 5
• 2006 Canadian Championships - 1
• 2005 ISU Grand Prix Final - 2
• 2005 Trophˇe Eric Bompard - 4
• 2005 Skate Canada - 2
• 2005 Canadian Championships - 1
• 2005 World Championships - 11 2004 ISU Grand Prix Final - 3
• 2004 Canadian Championships - 2
• 2004 Cup of China - 3
• 2004 World Championships - 8
• 2004 ISU Four Continents - 4
• 2003 Canadian Championships - 2
• 2003 Cup of Russia Gallina Blanca - 4
• 2003 Bofrost Cup on Ice - 1
• 2003 Skate Canada - 10
• 2003 World Championships - 17
• 2003 ISU Four Continents - 8
• 2002 Canadian Championships - 3
• 2002 ISU Four Continents - 9
• 2002 World Junior Championships - 5
• 2001 World Junior Championships - 8

Official site