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.