Jamie Salé is a Canadian darling. As the arguably prettier half of the figure skating duo Salé and Pelletier, she won Olympic Gold at the 2002 Winter Games in Salt Lake City following a major judging scandal. Jamie married on-ice partner David Pelletier in 2005, however the pair separated quietly over two years ago, publicly announcing their plans to divorce last June. Fortunately, the couple continues to do two very important things together: skate, and raise their son Jesse.

Fresh from the American Stars on Ice tour, Salé and Pelletier are set to hit Canadian venues as Sears Stars on Ice Presented by Samsung begins on their home soil later this week.

Jamie graciously took a few minutes to answer a few questions for This Mom Loves.

This Mom: What is the biggest sacrifice you have to make to be a skater, and what’s the biggest sacrifice you have to make to be a mom?
Jamie Salé: Right now, it is spending time with my child. It is always a struggle balancing your career and professional life. But you see… I can’t really call them sacrifices. I have to look at them as choices. I’ve chosen to be a professional skater who goes on Tours and I’ve chosen to be a mom.

TM:  Jesse is three and a half…what is he into right now? Milestones, interests?

JS: What isn’t he into!?! Oh…talking back – he totally has a mind of his own! He is very active – loves gymnastics, loves tumbling and loves the water. He’s potty trained, he feeds himself, he rides his bike with training wheels, which we are getting ready to take the off this summer. He is very courageous – he loves to climb things!

TM: You’ve had two great seasons on Battle of the Blades. What has been the best part?

JS: The best part has definitely been getting to know the people. I’ve developed some great relationships. It was definitely worth it. You get to learn a lot about other people’s lives and experiences.

TM: Is commentating something that you can see yourself doing more of? {Jamie and David did some commentating for CTV during the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Winter Games.}

JS: I would love to, but there isn’t enough work out there. We only have one network that covers skating and it already has two great commentators. Until there is more work, I don’t know what my chances are. I really liked it though. But, I need to practise more…

TM:  I assume you have Jesse on the road with you for the show?

JS: Jesse tours with us at least 50-75% of the time. The rule is that we do not go more than 10 days without him, but really we keep it closer to five days or a week at the most.

TM: Tell us about the upcoming Sears Stars on Ice Presented by Samsung Tour. What can people expect?

JS: We will have two numbers, but you’ll have to come to the show to find out what they are! Personally, I love doing the group numbers – they are so much fun! The music is popular – very fun, Top 40, sing-along type music.

TM: How does it feel getting ready to hit the ice for Stars on Ice, compared to getting ready to step out for a competition?

JS: It’s very different. For a competition, there’s training three hours a day, and it’s really all you do, eat, sleep, and associate yourself with. Everything matters. The nice thing about doing a show is that we don’t take it as seriously. It’s more entertaining and fun. We do work really hard to create a program that we think the audience will like, but it’s more relaxed, with less panic, fear and nerves.

TM: How would you complete the sentence “This Mom Loves…”?

JS:  I love Yonka or Guinot facial creams. I love cuticle oil, body lotion and I wear Chanel Coco Mademoiselle. I love my MAC makeup! So much fun! There’s a store I really love in Edmonton called “Who Cares”…and I also love BCBG and Lululemon.

Jamie and David obviously still have fun together, judging by this American Stars on Ice wardrobe malfunction, and David’s blog entry on the subject!
Photo by Brittany Evans (Stars on Ice US website)

You’re not going to want to miss Jamie’s upcoming Canadian Stars on Ice Tour Dates. Salé and Pelletier will be joined by world renowned skaters Kurt Browning, Evan Lysacek, and Joannie Rochette, among others, for what Browning calls “one of the most spectacular shows that this country has ever seen!”  (Psst: I’ll be at the Toronto show, and I’ll give you all the details afterwards!)

Note that due to the earthquake and tsunami in Japan, and subsequent postponement of the World Figure Skating Championship, Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir will participate in World’s, and join the Stars on Ice tour in Winnipeg on May 5th. Audiences for the first half of the tour can look forward to a performance by Olympic Silver Medallists Tanith Belbin and Ben Agosto.

Here’s where you can catch all the action:

April 21: Halifax, NS
April 23: Ottawa, ON
April 27: Windsor, ON
April 29: Toronto, ON
April 30: Hamilton, ON
May 1: London, ON
May 5: Winnipeg, MB
May 6: Saskatoon, SK
May 7: Edmonton, AB
May 8: Calgary, AB
May 10: Victoria, BC
May 13: Vancouver, BC

For tickets and more information, check out the Sears Stars on Ice Presented by Samsug website, and follow Sears Stars on Ice on Twitter.

To learn more about Jamie, visit the Salé/Pelletier website and Facebook page, and follow Jamie on Twitter.

4 comments on “Jamie Salé: The Stars on Ice Momterview”

  1. What a great interview Kate! I love Jamie and think she is a fabulous skater! It is so great to see you connecting to all of these amazing and talented Canadian Moms!
    Krista S

  2. I just want to address an "anonymous" commenter from earlier today. While speculating about the reasons for Jamie and David's split, and their subsequent relationships (real or alleged) may be interesting, This Mom Loves isn't a place where I want to pass judgment on anyone or spread rumours, which is why the comment will not be published.

    An excerpt from Jamie's Fall 2010 interview with Katrina Onstad from Chatelaine magazine: "The internet is aflame with rumours of infidelity targeting both Jamie and David. I ask Jamie if she wants to set the record straight, and she hardens a little. 'I’m used to the rumours…There’s nothing I can do about people talking. I don’t need to set anything straight. It’s nobody’s business what’s going on in my life or in Dave’s life.' On the question of why they split, she is succinct: 'It’s between him and me.'"

    Let's leave it at that.

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