Busy mom Sale says life’s just fine away from skating

HAPPILY RETIRED

GREG HARDER REGINA • Jamie Sale gets high marks for a smooth transition to life after figure skating.

The former Olympic pairs champion retired from the professional circuit five years ago to focus on another full-time job — “being a mom” to her 10-year-old son Jesse and four-year-old daughter Samantha.

“I have a very busy life so when I hung (up) my skates I literally have not been involved in skating at all,” offered Sale.

“My family thinks it’s interesting because you did it your whole life. I just kind of felt like I enjoyed being a mom so much that I was OK not being in skating.”

Sale and former partner David Pelletier are slated to be in Regina to serve an ambassadors for Skate Canada International (Thursday to Sunday at the Brandt Centre).

The celebrated pair won a world title in 2001 and Olympic gold at Salt Lake City in 2002 following an infamous judging scandal.

They were inducted into the Skate Canada Hall of Fame in 2008 and the Canadian Olympic Hall of Fame in 2009.

They married in 2005 and skated together professionally until they retired in 2012 — about two years after an amicable divorce.

“We had Jesse while we were pro and he toured with us for a few years,” she said. “Once he hit kindergarten, that’s when I decided to really pull back. Then I realized that doing 10 shows a year wasn’t realistic. It’s really hard to stay in that kind of shape — not just looking good, but it’s the cardio. I thought, ‘Well, who am I kidding? I want to be home with our son and I want to take him to activities.’ I had a great professional career and I’m happy. It was just a nice transition.”

Sale and Pelletier got their start as a pair in 1998, finishing third at Skate Canada International.

They went on to win the event in 2000 and 2001.

“It’s so nice to be able to come back and be part of a special event that I loved very much as a competitor,” she said. “This is a really special year. It’s an Olympic year so you’re going to see Olympic programs and the audiences love that. I’m excited to be around everybody, although things have really changed at Skate Canada. I don’t really know lots of names anymore but it’s nice to have a new beginning with them — a new generation.”

Sale hasn’t really missed skating since her retirement.

However, there are things that she appreciates more in retrospect — like the support of fans and applause from the crowd.

“You don’t get that with kids,” she said with a laugh. “I really appreciate that more now than when I was in it.”

Sale will be officially reunited this week with Pelletier, who’s a power skating coach for the Edmonton Oilers. Sale, who also lives in Edmonton, is now married to former Oilers forward Jamie Sale Craig Simpson, an analyst on Hockey Night in Canada.

“David is very close with our family,” explained Sale. “Craig and him get along very well. From the very beginning there was such a great understanding and respect for all of us. We spend Christmas together. We have him (over) for Thanksgiving. He doesn’t have family out here so it’s nice for him to be able to come and be with his son. It’s definitely unique but it really works for us.”