Menu
|
"The chemistry that we have and the way we skate, it's amazing. I never thought I would find this match." - Jamie Sal�, 1999 Skate America Jamie Sal� & David Pelletier (Reuters Photo)Sal� began ice skating at the age of 3. By the age of 17, she made her debut at the 1994 Olympics with former partner, Jason Turner. Finishing in 12th place, Sal� decided to pursue a singles career the following year. Her best placement was fifth place at the 1995 Canadian Nationals. David Pelletier began skating at age 4. He skated with three other partners before coming together with Sal�. They were: Julie Laporte, Alison Gaylor and Caroline Goy. David also skated as a single skater and finished in 4th place at the 1995 World Championships. Even though the two skaters came together for a try out in 1996, they did not pair up at the time. Two years later, Sal� & Pelletier became an official team on March 10, 1998. They were off to a rough beginning plagued by injuries and a language barrier - he spoke French. David experienced back problems and Jamie had to undergo surgery to correct her Achilles tendon. It didn't take long, however, for them to realize they had something special. They won their first gold medal together at the 1999 Skate America Competition. They did well over the next two years placing first at Skate America again and Skate Canada. In 2001, they won the gold medal at the World Championships, held in Halifax, Canada. They kept up their winning streak until the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. There they did not just win...they made history. In a controversy heard 'round the world, Sal� & Pelletier came in second place behind the Russian team of Elena Berehznaya & Anton Sikharulidze. There was a public out cry from those who thought the Canadian team deserved to finish in first place. Eventually an investigation led the IOC to award a second gold medal to the Canadian team. (Read more about it) Jamie and David have begun a tour with their co-gold medal winners as they ponder a decision to turn pro or stay eligible. No matter what their decision maybe, they are sure to continue thrilling audiences with their romantic style.
Jamie Sal�QUICK FACTS...DOB: 04/21/1977 Place of Birth: Red Deer, Alberta, Canada
|
David PelletierQUICK FACTS...DOB: 11/22/1974 Place of Birth: Sayabec, Quebec, Canada *Speaks French & English |
Copyright � 2001 Vicki Bennett
