Canadian figure skater Joannie Rochette stepped into the Olympic spotlight Tuesday night and skated her heart out – turning in a personal best performance despite the unexpected loss of her mother only forty eight hours before. You can watch the video here.
The twenty four year old’s parents, Therese and Normand, arrived in Vancouver on Saturday from Quebec and, after a brief visit with their daughter went to the downtown apartment they had rented. A few hours later Normand found his wife, 55, unresponsive and rushed her to a local hospital where she was pronounced dead early Sunday morning.
Normand then had to wake his daughter up at the Olympic Village and break news of the tragedy. Team Canada circled around Rochette, surrounding her with twenty four hour a day support and making sure that she has her boyfriend, coach and sports psychologist are with her at all times. “She is very, very strong,” said Benoit Lavoie, President of Skate Canada. ”I am very, very proud. I am more than amazed.”
Rochette isn’t talking to the press until the games are over and that focus served her well. Her moving short program scored her a 71.36, putting her in third place going into Thursday’s long program. Her routine included a triple Lutz/double toe loop combination, a triple flip and a double Axel. Each of which Rochette nailed as she spun and spiraled her way into the hearts of the world.
By the end of her routine, the crowd was on its feet and Rochette was in tears. One can only hope that Rochette is finding comfort on the ice.
