Did anyone see Joannie Rochette's wonderful performance during the short program of the figure skating last night? If there was a dry eye in the house, I would be surprised. Her performance was a beautiful tribute to her mother, Theresa Rochette, who passed away suddenly in the early hours on Sunday morning, at the age of 55. I can't even imagine the courage and determination it took for Joannie to continue with her program. She skated to the music Uruguayan tango La Cumparsita, whose lyrics begin: “The little parade of endless miseries ...”She skated a flawless performance and ended in third place behind the two top rivals, Japan's Mao Asada and Korean world champion Yu-Na Kim. But the real star of the evening was Joannie Rochette, and as she began her skate with a rousing ovation from her fans she looked so small and fragile, alone on the ice. When she was finished, she stood quietly and wept.
Joannie Rochette is in a very good position of winning a medal after the long performance on Thursday night. But, whoever wins the Gold Medal, the Vancouver 2010 women's figure skating event will always belong to Joannie Rochette.
It was beautiful. Such courage!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful post Jo.
ReplyDeleteLinda
Michelle, wasn't it gorgeous?
ReplyDeleteLinda, thank you. :-)
What an amazing performance in spite of tragic circumstances. Even if she doesn’t win a medal for her performance, Rochette deserves a gold medal for persevering through an extremely difficult time. This story makes me want to watch figure skating just to see how she does.
ReplyDeleteI am so moved by Rochette's experience this last week. It's heart breaking and inspiring all at one. You did a wonderful job posting about it Jo :)
ReplyDeleteI didn't see it, but I can imagine how difficult it was to do something like that so soon after losing a loved one. She must be incredibly brave and strong.
ReplyDeleteI have only watched curling this year. And that was just because my friends made me. But your account of this made me tear up a bit! So I'm thinking that if I did watch it I would have been bawling. I'm a little emotional lately though!
ReplyDeleteI had trouble falling asleep so I flipped on the TV at the exact moment Joannie took to the ice.I just happened upon it...it was just beautiful, and I would have felt the same way if she had fallen. You're right Jo, it took an astounding amount of courage, determination, focus and love for Joannie to even touch her skate to the ice. She owned her moment.
ReplyDeletePeace ~ Rene
btw~ to hear Scott Hamilton break down after her performance completely undid me.
I didn't see it, but now wish I had...
ReplyDeleteI missed it....hope I get to see it someday though.
ReplyDeleteIt was a very emotional skate. I'm sure she finds some solace in being on the ice.
ReplyDeleteYou can see a video of her program by going to ctvolympics.com click on skating, then figure skating and follow any links to see any athlete.
Brenda (and others who missed it) you can try to cut and past this link:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.ctvolympics.ca/video/index.html?assetid=84b95b91-661b-4e01-bc1e-b30f180a8e3f
I missed it! Dr. M had curling on - but I was thinking about her.
ReplyDeleteI loved the Ice Castles movie (& the book). Oh my goodness - I sobbed right there in the theater!
Now I'm off to watch the video VioletSky posted.
Yes, she did so very well. I know she was in such a tough situation of not wanting to skate and not wanting to give up the last four years of training.
ReplyDeleteAmazing. What a brave heart. D
ReplyDeleteShe did good. I hope she will win a medal.
ReplyDeleteI saw it too...Emotioned!
ReplyDeleteYou said it perfectly the medal really does belong to her for such courage to skate under such trying circumstances. Bless her heart!
ReplyDeleteJoyce
Such glorious humanity at the games!
ReplyDeleteAloha, Friend
Comfort Spiral
Her skating was beautiful, and I cried with her, like a baby. Poor thing.
ReplyDeleteI cannot imagine having that kind of courage.
ReplyDeleteThis is a beautiful post Jo. I unfortunately fell asleep before she skated. I'm hoping to see it in reruns. She is a woman of remarkable courage.
ReplyDeleteI knew you would post about this! I was lucky enough to see Joannie Rochette's program and I have rarely seen such grace and courage as she displayed. She awed me, and she makes us all proud regardless of whether or not we are Canadian. She set the bar very high in every way that counts - winning a medal pales by comparison.
ReplyDeleteYes, Jo, my wife, Maria and I saw it and we marvelled at her courage considering the sudden sad loss of her mother. It is utterly astounding how she summoned the corage and stamina to skate at all. let alone to this standard.
ReplyDeleteYest the night belonged to her. My wife was in tears as we watch and I do not mind admitting there was a large lump in my throat ~ Eddie
I didn't see it but I read about it and will watch it on CTV video. I will also be watching to see what happens. She deserves so much credit for persevering in the face of such loss. Blessings upon her.
ReplyDeleteI haven't had time to watch any of the olympics, though I usually catch some.
ReplyDeletethanks for letting me know about this Jo.. i will watch her performance now.. i guess she must be a very strong girl to continue in such a terrible position!
ReplyDeleteIm moved by your post
She looked like a little girl lost out on the ice. Her father up in the stands looked so sad after her performance. She skated beautifully!
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ReplyDeleteJo.. beautiful post about a beautiful girl with a beautiful spirit!
ReplyDeleteI did see it, Jo, but I waited until I knew she had done well to watch the DVR recording. I was so nervous for her, and so afraid that it would be a redux of Dan Jansen, only with multiple falls.
ReplyDeleteI was thrilled beyond measure to have been dead wrong in that apprehension.
One of the things that made it even better to witness that for once, the chattering NBC commentators didn't say even one word during her performance. So we really got to witness the crowd participation, the cheers, the clapping. Everyone was right there with her, on the ice, wishing her well, hoping against hope.
It was absolutely lovely. Her mother would have been so very proud, I'm sure. In her mother's stead, the world now takes pride in her :-)
I agree with all my heart.
ReplyDeleteI believe it was a good way to channel her anger & sadness about her mother's untimely death(55 is not an age to die!), to morph them into the strength needed for the contest & perform so beautifully! <3
ReplyDeleteYes, she was wonderful.
ReplyDeleteBut the long program belonged to Yuna Kim, who is incredible. Well deserved gold medal.
Hello, everyone, wasn't Yuna Kim magnificent? I don't think I have ever seen a better performance.
ReplyDeleteI was pleased that Joannie Rochette won a bronze. What a great story.
Have a fabulous day, everyone...!
Cheers,
Jo
We can all relate to her and how we wish we could react like her in a similar situation! Thank you for posting a piece of GOOD and worthy news, Jo!
ReplyDeleteKim was amazing and so was Rochette. Very inspirational! And they were Trending Topics on Twitter today! http://bit.ly/a9IaX7
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