OTTAWA - Olympic bronze medallist Joannie Rochette will not compete at the Canadian figure skating championships in January.

The announcement comes after the Ile-Dupas, Que., native decided to skip the entire Grand Prix season this fall.

She has spent the past several months skating in shows and attending speaking engagements.

But she says she hasn't lost her competitive spirit and plans to retain her amateur status.

Rochette captured the hearts of skating fans in February when she won a bronze medal at the Vancouver Olympics less than a week after her mother Therese died of a heart attack.

The Canadian championships are set for Jan. 21-23 in Victoria.