Akiko Suzuki Olympics Figure Skating

On the ice they were fierce competitors, albeit cloaked in sequins and beguiling smiles.

But off the ice after Tuesday's woman's short program, Canadian figure skater Joannie Rochette's rivals sounded more like concerned friends.

One after another they grew sombre when asked what they thought about the pressure Rochette was under, skating in the Olympics so soon after the sudden, tragic death of her mother, Therese.

Japan's Akiko Suzuki's eyes glistened as she turned to catch part of Rochette's short program, nailed by force of sheer will.

"What I think ... is that skating right now for her is the best thing that she can do for her Mom," Suzuki said through a translator, nodding emphatically as her words were being converted from Japanese to English.

"I think it's great that she is skating and that she is doing her best right now. And I would like to pay my condolences," said the Japanese skater, in 11th position after the short program.

Finland's Laura Lepisto's face fell as she expressed her concern for Rochette.

In 10th place after Tuesday night's event, Lepisto said she'd been having some problems here with a sore hip. But when she heard of Rochette's loss, her issues seemed small in comparison, she suggested.

"I think the atmosphere was of course a little bit down at the practices," Lepisto said. "But I think the whole Canadian crowd is really supporting her here."

Julia Sebestyen of Hungary had the unenviable task of skating immediately after Rochette. "It was really hard," she admitted.

"I know she's a great skater and I feel so sorry for her," said Sebestyen, who sits in 13th spot after the short program. "But that shows how great a skater is she, that she could skate in this situation very well."

Short program leader Kim Yu-Na, who electrified the audience in the group before Rochette, said she knows what the Canadian skater is going through.

"I had a similar difficult situation about two years ago, a personal situation during a very important international competition," the South Korean skater said through a translator, without elaborating on the nature of the situation.

"And I fully understand how she feels and I'm sure she'll overcome the difficulties."

Japan's Mao Asada, in second place after the short program, echoed her fellow competitors.

“I feel really bad and I'm really sorry for her," she said. "I hope she can skate really well and does her best.”