Rochette thrilled

The 23-year old was lying seventh after the short program but looked a different skater in her free skate, completing a confident routine to jump up into the medal positions.

Japan's Akiko Suzuki took gold in the women's event with 176.66 points overall with Finland's Kiira Korpi second on 163.27 and Rochette completing the podium with 163.18.

Having reached the podium in Beijing just once before - a bronze in 2004 - Rochette admitted the result was a pleasing start to her Olympic season but insisted her program would need a few tweaks before she sets foot on the Vancouver ice in three months time.

"I can't complain too much with a bronze here but it wasn't the perfect start to the season," said Rochette.

"But I'm definitely pleased with how things have gone today. I felt much more in control on the ice.

"And it was good to come back from such a disappointing first day to skate well in the free dance.

"I think that short program will act as a bit of a wake-up call for me in training - I'm not completely happy with my program yet and it's something I definitely want to work on before the Olympics."

Meanwhile, Americans Tanith Belbin and Benjamin Agosto took gold in the ice dance competition finishing top in all three dances.

The 2005 Olympic silver medallists finished on 194.51 points with Russia's Jana Khokhlova and Sergei Novitski second on 180.57 and Italy's Federica Faiella and Massimo Scalli in bronze with 179.92.

In the men's competition, Japan's Nobunari Oda sealed his place in December's Grand Prix Final in Tokyo with a comfortable victory.

The 22-year old impressed to take the Trophée Eric Bompard two weeks ago and was in fine form again in Beijing, maintaining his overnight lead with the best free skate of the competition to finish top of the field on 239.58 points.

American Evan Lysacek finished second in the free skate to steal in ahead of Russia's Sergei Voronov to take silver on 232.17 with Voronov eventually claiming bronze on 220.39.

Finally, China's triple world champions Shen Xue and Zhao Hongbo scooped gold in the pairs event, receiving a standing ovation after a stunning free skate routine.

The duo finished with 200.97 points with fellow Chinese pair Zhang Dan and Zhang Hao in silver on 186.49 and Ukraine's Tatiana Volosozhar and Stanislav Morozov in bronze on 170.79.