Rochette Gives Emotional Performance, Third Going into Final

Joannie Rochette of Canada competes in the ladies short program figure skating at Pacific Coliseum on February 23. (Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

Joannie Rochette was able to stay composed during her short program on Tuesday that brought the supportive Olympic audience to their feet.

“I am not someone who is prone to feeling a lot of emotions but my heart went out for her and she had me in tears,” said CEO William Thompson of Skate Canada in a statement. “The level at which she skated was phenomenal.”

Rochette was in third place going into Thursday’s free skating final. Her story drew more attention this week after her mother died suddenly of a heart attack on Sunday.

In the statement, Rochette said that “words cannot describe” how she felt.

“It’s hard to be precise but ten years from now I'd want to come back and try this again,” she said.

“[The circumstances are] hard to handle but I appreciate the support. I'll remember this forever.”

“Bond Girl” Kim Yuna of South Korea broke a world-record mark and leads rival Mao Asada of Japan. Rochette is the only athlete in the competition regarded as having a chance to break up an all-Asian top three.

Rochette is looking to become the first Canadian to receive a medal in the event since Elizabeth Manley took silver in the 1988 Games in Calgary.