Tag Archive for: Joannie Rochette

Legendary Figure Skaters Joannie Rochette and Patrick Chan Named Event Ambassadors For the 2024 ISU World Figure Skating Championships

MONTREAL, QC (May 25, 2023) – The road to the top is never easy. It takes time, dedication, grit and a lot of hard work. To win a medal on the world stage is one of the peak accomplishments in any athlete’s career, but to become a legend is a category onto itself. As figure skating fans descend on Montreal, Quebec next March for the 2024 ISU World Figure Skating Championships ®, they will be welcomed by two of Canada’s finest: Olympians Joannie Rochette and Patrick Chan. The event is scheduled to take place at the Centre Bell from March 18-24, 2024. 

Rochette is best known for her heart wrenching battle to bronze at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver, where she decided to compete mere days after the passing of her mother. Rochette was also crowned national champion six times and competed at seven world championships, winning a silver medal in 2009. The l’Île-Dupas native also won three ISU Four Continent medals and 10 medals on the ISU Grand Prix circuit.  

Chan is the most decorated male figure skater in Canadian history, holding 10 national titles, three Olympic medals and three world titles. Between them they share 16 national titles and have served as idols and role models to young Canadian figure skaters from coast to coast to coast.  

“I am thrilled to see the championships returning to Montréal following the cancellation in 2020. It is exciting to be able to finally step fully into my role as event ambassador and welcome the world to Montreal,” shared Rochette. “Montrealers are known to be welcoming and open to the world and I am honoured to represent Skate Canada and all the athletes participating at this incredible event.”  

In their role, Rochette and Chan will interact and engage with fans, conduct interviews with the media and be available for speaking engagements. The event ambassadors help share the athlete experience with media and fans so that the competing athletes can focus on the task at hand. 

When reflecting on his own experience, Chan shared how competing on his home soil served as a difference maker that catapulted him to the top of the podium.  

“One of my fondest memories in figure skating was when I competed at the 2013 ISU World Figure Skating Championships in London, Ontario. Having the support of a home crowd energized me to be the best I could be and ultimately achieve a gold medal.” 

This will be the first time the championships have been hosted in Montreal since 1932. They were previously scheduled in 2020, which would have been their first return since, but were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  

“We are honoured to have Patrick and Joannie return as our event ambassadors. Skate Canada is thrilled to finally be able to implement our plans and bring the world championships to Montreal,” said Debra Armstrong, Skate Canada’s Chief Executive Officer. “Over their careers, Joannie and Patrick have both taken part and won medals at every major skating event and know first-hand the pressures of competition and we know they will help make an unforgettable event for all participants.” 

All-event tickets for the 2024 ISU World Figure Skating Championships® will be on sale in mid-June.
For up-to-date ticket information, please sign up to our Worlds 2024 fan list at montreal2024.com. 

ABOUT THE ISU WORLD FIGURE SKATING CHAMPIONSHIPS 

The ISU World Figure Skating Championships® is an annual event that moves around the globe, showcasing the 200 best athletes from 50 countries across four disciplines: men, women, pair and ice dance. An event of this magnitude could not take place without the contribution of the Government of Canada, the Government of Quebec, the City of Montreal and Tourism Montreal. 

Joannie Rochette to act as Athlete Ambassador for Skate Canada International

MONTREAL, QC: Skate Canada is pleased to announce that six-time Canadian champion and 2010 Olympic Winter Games bronze medallist Joannie Rochette, 32, Île Dupas, Quebec, will serve as the official Athlete Ambassador during 2018 Skate Canada International. The event will take place in Laval, Que., from October 25-28, 2018 at Place Bell.

“I am extremely excited to be named Athlete Ambassador for Skate Canada International,” says Rochette. “Although I have moved on to a new chapter in my life, I hold cherished memories of my figure skating career and am honoured to represent Skate Canada, and all athletes participating at this prestigious event.”

Rochette competed at Skate Canada International six times during her career, medalling at five of those appearances and winning gold three times (2006, 2008, 2009).  In her role as Athlete Ambassador, Rochette will handle speaking engagements and media interviews, conduct appearances on behalf of the competing athletes and, of course, interact with fans throughout the week.

“We are thrilled to have Joannie involved with Skate Canada International. She knows exactly the pressures that the athletes will face during the competition and will be able to convey those experiences to media and fans over the course of the week,” said Debra Armstrong, Chief Executive Officer, Skate Canada. “Joannie is a powerful role model for all Canadians through her skating and her courage during the 2010 Olympic Games, and now as a medical student. We are excited to have Joannie back at the rink in Laval.”

Rochette represented CPA Berthierville during her career and won the first of her six consecutive Canadian titles in 2005, and successfully defended her national crown every year through 2010. In February of 2010, she captured the hearts of Canada, and the world, with emotional performances in the short and free programs on her way to a bronze medal at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver. Rochette competed in seven world championships, winning silver at the 2009 ISU World Figure Skating Championships in Los Angeles.

Rochette was named the 2010 Female Athlete of the Year by the Canadian Press, and in 2017 Skate Canada announced she would be inducted into the Skate Canada Hall of Fame. She is currently attending medical school at McGill University.

TICKETS

Single session tickets begin at $40.50 (including applicable taxes and surcharges) and prices range by session. Tickets for the Thursday practices are only $16 (including taxes and surcharges).

Tickets can be purchased online at placebell.ca, by phone at 1-855-634-4472 or in person at the Place Bell Box Office.

EVENT INFO

Skate Canada International is the second competition in the annual ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating series. The other events take place in the United States (Skate America), Finland, Japan (NHK Trophy), Russia (Rostelecom Cup) and France (Internationaux de France).

Each skater/team can be assigned a maximum of two events. Skaters are awarded points based on their placements at their events. The top six from each discipline (men, women, pair and ice dance) qualify for the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final to be held in Vancouver, B.C., from December 6-9, 2018.

Joannie Rochette named Athlete Ambassador for 100th anniversary 2014 Canadian Tire National Skating Championships

OTTAWA, ON: Olympic Bronze Medalist  and six-time Canadian Champion Joannie Rochette has been named the Athlete Ambassador for the upcoming 2014 Canadian Tire National Skating Championships in Ottawa, Ontario. The event will celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Canadian Championships at the Canadian Tire Centre from January 9-15, 2014.  The very first event was also held in Ottawa in 1914.

Rochette, from Île Dupas, Quebec, represented CPA Berthierville, and won the first of her six consecutive Canadian titles in 2005. She defended it every year through to her 2010 title.  Later that year, she won the bronze medal in ladies at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver with an emotional performance in the short and free programs. The decorated skater competed in seven world championships, and won the silver medal at the 2009 ISU World Figure Skating Championships in Los Angeles.

“I am so honoured to be the Athlete Ambassador for this year’s Canadian Tire National Skating Championships in Ottawa. This will be such a special event, and I am proud to represent all the many amazing athletes over 100 years of champions,” said Rochette.  “I look forward to encouraging all of the skaters, and to be with them in Ottawa. I have competed there for the 2006 Canadian championships and I know that the fans are tremendous and will support all of the athletes and cheer them on to amazing performances.”

As the Athlete Ambassador, Rochette will participate in promotion, ceremonies, media interviews, receptions, autograph sessions and in-venue entertainment.

The announcement was made to over 65 young skaters at the Canadian Tire Centre for the flower retriever auditions and ceremony participants for the championships.

“It is wonderful to have one of our decorated Canadian champions and alumni member to serve as our Athlete Ambassador at these upcoming championships,” said Dan Thompson CEO, Skate Canada. “She continues to inspire young skaters in Canada to pursue their dreams, and is able to relate to the many emotions and experiences the athletes are going through as they compete to represent Canada at the 2014 Olympic Winter Games. We are pleased to have Joannie stay involved with our sport and to be a special part of this event.”

All-event ticket packages for both the senior and junior/novice events are on sale online at www.capitaltickets.ca, by phone at 1.877.788.FANS (3267) or 613.599.FANS (3267), or in person at the Canadian Tire Centre box office.

Single event tickets will be on-sale on Thursday, November 14th.