Canadian figure skater Joannie Rochette jumped to the third position Tuesday night behind Japan's Mao Asada and South Korean Kim Yuna who stands at the first position.

At the end of her short program, the Canadian broke in tears after the audience celebrated her performance.

Her participation in the Olympic games was much awaited given that the skater's mother died suddenly few days ahead of the competition.

Words cannot describe (how I feel). (It was a) very nice warm welcome, hard to handle but I appreciate the support. I'll remember this forever, Rochette said after her short program in a statement released through Skate Canada's high performance director Mike Slipchuk.

Rochette is in third place with 71.36 points. Asada is second with 73.78 points and Kim with 78.50 points.

Click Here to watch Rochette's short program.

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