Jamie Salé and David Pelletier

At the 2002 Olympic Winter Games in Salt Lake City, Canadian pair skaters Jamie Salé & David Pelletier achieved magic in their free skate, set to music from the film Love Story. When they finished their extraordinary program, you could hear a pin drop as the audience held their collective breath before erupting into thunderous applause. The cheers turned into boos when the scoreboard showed they had finished second, and in the days that followed unprecedented Olympic controversy unfolded as a judging scandal was revealed. Ultimately, Salé and Pelletier were named co-gold medalists and clearly also won the hearts of millions of fans around the world for the incredible grace and dignity they demonstrated both on and off the ice.

Reflecting back, Pelletier says they went to the Olympics knowing it would be a life-changing experience. They were prepared to finish anywhere from first to fifth, but, he says, "Nobody could get us ready or could imagine what life was going to be like after the scenario that happened." The pair appeared on the covers of both Time and Newsweek magazines.

That conviction led Salé (pronounced SA-lay) and Pelletier (pronounced PELL-tee-ay) to sign with the Stars on Ice tour, and they fully immersed themselves in learning to be the best performers possible. Although they continued to train with the same diligence as when they were competitors, they enjoyed the freedom of creating programs that suited them and not the judges.  To keep their own skating growing and evolving, Salé and Pelletier have chosen to work with a variety of different choreographers: Lori Nichol (who choreographed their competitive programs), David Wilson, Renée Roca, Christopher Dean and Cindy Stuart.

Although no longer life partners, they remain mutually committed to raising their son Jesse, born on Sept. 30, 2007. Salé and son were featured on the cover of Today’s Parent, a Canadian parenting magazine. She also made appearances with him in connection to a commercial endorsement of Pampers.

While their love of performing remains undiminished, Salé and Pelletier have also been developing a career as TV commentators. They were part of the NBC broadcast team at the 2006 Olympic Winter Games in Turin, where they appeared on daily segments called "Olympic Ice." During one of the broadcasts Pelletier delivered a hilarious description of the dope testing that medalists must undergo. Each day, they were encouraged to come up with story ideas and he had thrown that out to a producer and two NBC executives. They called in the camera crew and he nailed it in one take.

Most recently they collaborate on the smash hit Canadian TV show Battle of the Blades, where Pelletier is a coach and Salé was crowned the winner of season one with her partner, former NHL star Craig Simpson. In season two, she partnered Theo Fleury.

The pair has been a part of Stars on Ice Canada since 2003.

Jamie Salé & David Pelletier - Accomplishments

• Recipients of the Lou Marsh Trophy – 2001
• Named Canada’s “Team of the Year” – 2001
• Gold Medalist at the Olympics in Salt Lake City – 2002
• Selected by the Globe and Mail as the second most influential athletes for Canada, after Wayne Gretzky – 2002
• Named Canadian Sport Partners of the Year – 2002
• Awarded the Golden Jubile Award – 2002
• Inducted into the Edmonton Sports Hall of Fame in 2003
• Inducted into the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame in 2004
• Inducted into the Canadian Figure Skating Hall of Fame in 2006

Jamie Salé & David Pelletier  - Competitive Results

Q & A with David Pelletier

What is the most rewarding part of figure skating?
Like any sport, it is the challenge of accomplishing something that you first thought was impossible.

What’s your next career move? Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Great question…but why don’t we enjoy today first!

What are the top 5 songs on your ipod?
5 days in May (Blue Rodeo), Yellow Ledbetter (Pearl Jam), the entire Abbey Road Album (Beatles), Wheat Kings (Tragically Hip), Crash Into Me (Dave Matthews Band).

What is your favourite meal to cook?
Does a fried egg sandwich count?

What is your favourite Stars on Ice memory?
Probably the opening number of our first show in Halifax the first year we joined the tour.  Brian Orser’s last tour was extremely special because I couldn’t believe I was touring with him (I mean he is so much older than me hahahaha!)

What has been your favourite country to visit and why?
So tough to answer because every country has so much to offer when you go in with an open mind.  Japan has a special little place in my mind. 

How do you spend your time when you aren’t on the road?
The same way as all people do: visit friends, watch T.V, grocery shop, post-office runs, play hockey.  Normal is really under-rated.

Most memorable career moment?
The first time I saw pairs skating on television (1988 Olympics), and the first day I skated with Jamie. 

Will you put your son into figure skating? 
That will be his decision.

If you could compete in an Olympic sport other then figure skating, what would it be and why?
I could and I will – curling 2022 here I come!

If you hadn’t become a professional athlete, what do you think your current career would be?
Probably a school teacher, like my parents.

Who is your idol?
My parents, because they always gave us the best of themselves.  Also, Terry Fox for his legacy and on-going inspiration he has provided to the entire world.

If you could have dinner with one person, who would it be and why?
My family.  We are too spread out, and too busy, so it doesn’t happen too often.

If you could be an animal for one day, what would it be and why?
A bear – eat as much as I can and go to sleep for an entire season! Common!!

If you could eat only one food for the rest of your life what would it be and why?
Mini-Wheats.  100% whole wheat biscuit, high in fiber, low in fat, trans fat free, no added salt (that’s what the box says anyways!)

Q & A with Jamie Salé

What is the most rewarding part of figure skating?

The most rewarding part of figure skating is working so hard on your craft and having people (fans) come out to see you perform.

What’s your next career move? Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

I have no idea what my next career move is, but I can tell you one thing - it won’t be basketball lol (too short).  I would love to be in business though, and definitely work more often with charities. I also see myself with an 8 yr old…Jesse.

What are the top 5 songs on your iPod?

Don’t have an iPod but top 5 songs would be anything from Pink, Usher, Shania, John Mayer, and the Rolling Stones.

What is your favourite meal to cook?

I love making pizza or chili.

What is your favourite Sears Stars on Ice presented by Samsung memory?

Favourite Sears Stars on Ice presented by Samsung memory would be my 1st show in Halifax in 2003.  It was such an overwhelming ovation.

What has been your favourite country to visit and why?

My favourite country to visit is Italy because I love the food and culture.  It is so laid back and they enjoy the little things in life.  Another is Japan because I love the food and how adorable everything is there.  Everything is my size lol!

How do you spend your time when you aren’t on the road?

I love spending time with my friends and family and going out to my favourite restaurants.  I also love going to, or watching, hockey games.

Most memorable career moment?

My most memorable career moment would for sure be skating at the Olympics.  It was so emotional and the most stressful but rewarding part of my career.

Will you put your kid(s) into figure skating? 

We will put Jesse in anything he wants to be in, and is passionate about.

If you could compete in an Olympic sport other then figure skating, what would it be and why?

I would love to compete in a team sport if I could be in the Olympics again… hockey or curling for example.

If you hadn’t become a professional athlete, what do you think your current career would be?

If I wasn’t a figure skater I would have probably become an interior decorator or event coordinator like my Mom.  I really enjoy design and decorating.

Who is your idol?

My idols are my parents.  Raising children is the best gift in the world but the hardest job, and I have a bigger appreciation for what they went through and did for us.

If you could have dinner with one person, who would it be and why?

I would love to have dinner with Robin Williams. I think he is hilarious!

What was your favourite memory from the Vancouver Olympics?

My favourite memory of the 2010 Olympics was Joannie Rochette’s skates, both short and long programs.  She’s my hero!

If you could be an animal for one day, what would it be and why?

If I could be an animal for a day I would love to be a butterfly or a bird.  Fly around and see the world from a new perspective.

If you could eat only one food for the rest of your life what would it be and why?

I would eat pizza for the rest of my life if I could!