Sale and Pelletier intend to retire

[fan]

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sport...rticle2335069/

[quebecoise]

They are not retiring now...but they know they will have to retire in the next few years.

Jamie made a statement yesterday on their official message board about it:
http://www.sale-pelletier.com/forum/...php?f=6&t=4852

[Erica Lee]

They are definitely entering a "less-than-full-time" phase of their professional skating careers, but as quebecoise pointed out (thank you!), they are NOT retiring.

The reporter/headline writer of that article definitely made it sound like they are - but it's a case of being misunderstood/selective quoting/dramatic story framing.

[Made4Dancin]

That article was depressing. I hate to think of people retiring mainly because of the money.

I insist that the fans are still there. But since there is no Champions on Ice type tour they don't come out. Stars on Ice isn't good enough. They dropped the ball when they didn't feature the international stars from Vancouver. If there had been a tour in the US that included Weir, Lambiel, Plushenko, Kim, Asada, etc., people would have turned out. That article almost makes it sound like people won't pay attention to figure skating unless there's another scandalous incident to bring people back. Even though the economy is bad, people still go to concerts. There's no reason they wouldn't turn out for the right show. They need to start from scratch.

[The Fly On The Wall]

"Salé and Pelletier were offered a spot on this year's Stars on Ice tour, but at a price that Salé says “undervalues” them as the industry slips. “Look,” Pelletier says, “the numbers tell a story.”"

Several quotes like this appeared in the story. I find it hard to feel sorry for them if they've priced themselves out of the market.

[victoriajh]

"Salé and Pelletier were offered a spot on this year's Stars on Ice tour, but at a price that Salé says “undervalues” them as the industry slips. “Look,” Pelletier says, “the numbers tell a story.”"

Several quotes like this appeared in the story. I find it hard to feel sorry for them if they've priced themselves out of the market.

with ekaterina skating this year ( double gold medalist) one would think that they are paying her an ok amount- do you think it is just an excuse for them? they cut the whole tour down this year so i guess they are paying less- but would some not be better than nothing? or can they make more staying at home and coaching? i always think it much be so hard to retire when every day fro tha last how many years of your life you have skated- or got out in front of an audience to preform-

i was surprised that they continued when they spilt- i have a lot of admiration for the way they have carried themselves during what i am sure was a painful time for the them personally.
they seem to be very supportive of each other- i cheered for them as amaetur skaters and enjoyed them as people when i chatted with them and in their pro carrier- i hope that they are still around the skating community when tehy do hang up their skates !!!

[ltnskater]

with ekaterina skating this year ( double gold medalist) one would think that they are paying her an ok amount- do you think it is just an excuse for them? they cut the whole tour down this year so i guess they are paying less- but would some not be better than nothing? or can they make more staying at home and coaching? i always think it much be so hard to retire when every day fro tha last how many years of your life you have skated- or got out in front of an audience to preform-

i was surprised that they continued when they spilt- i have a lot of admiration for the way they have carried themselves during what i am sure was a painful time for the them personally.
they seem to be very supportive of each other- i cheered for them as amaetur skaters and enjoyed them as people when i chatted with them and in their pro carrier- i hope that they are still around the skating community when tehy do hang up their skates !!!

I heard they are now back together according to the rumor mill ... can anyone confirm?

[Carolla5501]

That article was depressing. I hate to think of people retiring mainly because of the money.

I insist that the fans are still there. But since there is no Champions on Ice type tour they don't come out. Stars on Ice isn't good enough. They dropped the ball when they didn't feature the international stars from Vancouver. If there had been a tour in the US that included Weir, Lambiel, Plushenko, Kim, Asada, etc., people would have turned out. That article almost makes it sound like people won't pay attention to figure skating unless there's another scandalous incident to bring people back. Even though the economy is bad, people still go to concerts. There's no reason they wouldn't turn out for the right show. They need to start from scratch.

if all it took was "these" stars then COI would still be around. They had Weir etc..

Kim, Asada and others can make a LOT more in thier home country then wandering around the US and honestly, if it's not an Olympic Gold Medalist, then the US market isn't showing up. I know that sounds harsh, but facts are facts.... American's tend to only care about "American" athletes and after Kwan the "fan favorite" hasn't been thier in the US fan base. Think about it when COI was touring the 'headliner" was Michelle. Not the other great stars...

The reason they aren't turning out is they don't want to go. And adding European and Asian skaters isn't the solution. Want a US tour, we need a US "star" and there isn't one right now. (Go ask 10 people who are NOT figuring skating fans to name a skater they would go see.... I bet that's interesting...)

[Carolla5501]

I heard they are now back together according to the rumor mill ... can anyone confirm?

From the article above

"They have struggled since to maintain privacy throughout their divorce, but decline to comment

. “We have a son that we love very much, and he is our priority,” she adds. “It's life. And we're human. It's not what happens to you, it's what you do about it. I think we're doing a good job.” "

Maybe we should just take our lead from them???

[kylet3]

I don't think they are together anymore, that being said, I think they need to realize what the market north of the border is here. Figure Skating just isn't as popular as it once was. With so much for options in terms of sports/entertainment and people stretching their dollars in this day and age, people aren't choosing skating stars. Attendance at big competitions is down across the board, the system is confusing to armchair fans who have given up (my mom being one of them). It's a sad fact of life these days, but it's also reality. I think they're being more choosy than they should and take what they can get. My mom has run into her on more than one occasion across the city and she hasn't seen David with her at all, so I'm guessing they aren't back together.

[Andora]

According to Jamie's twitter, David had their son in Quebec over Christmas. I'm not sure a reunited couple would spend it apart?

It's nice that their post-divorce relationship has been solid enough that a reunion is a rumour, though.

[Jenny]

Kim, Asada and others can make a LOT more in thier home country then wandering around the US and honestly, if it's not an Olympic Gold Medalist, then the US market isn't showing up. I know that sounds harsh, but facts are facts.... American's tend to only care about "American" athletes and after Kwan the "fan favorite" hasn't been thier in the US fan base. Think about it when COI was touring the 'headliner" was Michelle. Not the other great stars...

The reason they aren't turning out is they don't want to go. And adding European and Asian skaters isn't the solution. Want a US tour, we need a US "star" and there isn't one right now. (Go ask 10 people who are NOT figuring skating fans to name a skater they would go see.... I bet that's interesting...)

Disagree. It's true that COI used to market it as a "champions" tour and therefore needed actual champions, and SOI always put Olympic champions at the top of their marquee, but the fact is that many non-Americans have had long careers with SOI, and been very well received by fans who used to cheer them on year after year.

I'm thinking of Browning, Witt, Gordeeva (and G&G), Chouinard, Kulik, Cousins and so many others.

I don't think the shrinking of audiences has much to do with the medal count or the nationality of skaters. It's about the overall decline in interest in the sport (which is a whole other discussion), increased competition for audience's hard earned entertainment dollars, and marketing IMO.

[Carolla5501]

Disagree. It's true that COI used to market it as a "champions" tour and therefore needed actual champions, and SOI always put Olympic champions at the top of their marquee, but the fact is that many non-Americans have had long careers with SOI, and been very well received by fans who used to cheer them on year after year.

I'm thinking of Browning, Witt, Gordeeva (and G&G), Chouinard, Kulik, Cousins and so many others.

I don't think the shrinking of audiences has much to do with the medal count or the nationality of skaters. It's about the overall decline in interest in the sport (which is a whole other discussion), increased competition for audience's hard earned entertainment dollars, and marketing IMO.

I just don't think it's coming back in the US without an "American star" In the era above.. who headlined SOI? Scott Hamilton! (And if you really look at the history, it's been heading downhill in terms of attendance and draw since he left IMHO. Americans know and love Scott. (regardless of how folks feel on here if he didn't test well he wouldn't be doing those broadcasts..NBC is working the "love" ) Those others were icing on the cake... and they had "stories" Kurt was around a LONG time, developed a presence etc.. Katia had the "lost love" story which got a lot of press Casual fans probably couldn't tell you who Kulik was at this point )

The only Americans with some draw MIGHT be Evan and Davis/White. But Ice Dance is still a tough sell.

I think Jamie and Dave are being "realisitic" They said "it's not worth our time to do this for the price" Fans may not like it, but... if it costs them more to rent ice, coaching etc to get ready they they are going to make "taking something" is kind of "Take what you can get" is often not a sound business decision. If you can't get what it costs to cover your expenses time to move on. That's what it sounds like they are doing.

[WildRose]

This article is totally misleading. It's been several years since S&P have been on the US tour- all that has changed is that they won't be doing the Canadian tour this year because they weren't able to come to an agreement on salary. That's a business decision that both sides have the right to make. Audiences for CSOI have been relatively stable, but they have more recent Olympic gold medalists Virtue & Moir in the cast now, and no doubt they'd like to get Patrick Chan as well.

[Judy]

It sounds like they are at peace with their decision and their lives and I wish them well.

It's more than obvious the sport is in a decline and I think the new judging system has taken some of the "magic" or "art" out of it .. but back then the tv market was saterated with these events and even myself as much as I love skating .. I just got sick of it. I actually left skating for several years and just recently became interested again. The judging scandals also hurt the sport.

[manhn]

I believe S&P skated last year's US SOI. Their MJ program was showcased on the NBC telecast.

Too bad they won't be back for CSOI. I thought that once Kurt left, S&P would be the natural new leaders of the tour.

[WildRose]

I believe S&P skated last year's US SOI. Their MJ program was showcased on the NBC telecast.

Too bad they won't be back for CSOI. I thought that once Kurt left, S&P would be the natural new leaders of the tour.

You are right - I totally forgot they did the US tour last year I'll miss them on CSOI too.

[kwanfan1818]

It sounds like they have things they'd rather do long-term than skate for the amount offered to do tours, a standard cost-benefit analysis.

[Bournekraatzfan]

I have been a huge FS fan since I was a kid in the eighties and 90s. My whole family used to follow it closely and still tune in every now and then but I am the only one who has continued to watch religiously. The scandals were partially responsible for their loss of interest, but there were other factors. I didn't attend live shows until 2001, because I could never afford it. I would love to see CSOI each year, but again, I cannot afford to. I haven't been since 2008 (Jeff Buttle is one of favourite skaters of all time and I was thrilled to see him live and just off his WC victory!) I was hoping to attend this year, and am very sad that I won't get to see S&P. I just want them to be happy, though, and do what is best for their family.

[CanuckSk8r]

They are also reaching a time when it will not be possible for Jesse to travel with them, as he will have school. Cutting back on the travel just makes sense.