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.