Sale / Pelletier help celebrate the grand opening of the new building
Vick444~No
The excitement was palpable at Driving Force on 51st
Street Wednesday with Olympic gold medallists Jamie Sale
and David Pelletier and hockey hall of fame broadcaster
Rod Phillips in town to help celebrate the grand opening
of the new building.
Tears came to the eyes of one fan when she saw the figure
skating pair, often referred to as Canada's Sweethearts,
and they happily autographed pictures for the fan and her
daughter. Members of the Saskatoon Figure Skating Club
were also there to meet the skating stars and raise a
little money with a barbecue fundraiser.
Sale and Pelletier are best known for their 2002 Olympic
gold medal and their role as victims in a controversy
involving the judges, who placed another couple ahead of
them. They were later awarded gold medals.
Since their Olympic win in 2002, they have been busy with
their professional career, touring with Stars on Ice and
starting a family. Married in December 2005, their son,
Jesse, was born in September 2007.
Having a child has forced them to slow down their
professional career, but Sale said they did it by choice.
"Doing a little less makes everything more enjoyable,"
added Pelletier.
The switch from a competitive amateur career to a
professional one was a big change, but both agreed they
wouldn't go back to competing.
"I get in professional skating what I liked in amateur,
and that was performing," said Sale. "I don't miss
amateur skating at all. I get to do that every night: I
get to perform. That's what I liked most about
competing."
Pelletier agreed that he enjoys what he's doing. "I loved
it when I did compete; I remember competing and not
wishing to be a pro. Now that I'm a pro, I don't wish to
compete."
Sale and Pelletier have been partners with Driving Force
since their Olympic training began in 2001 and they say
they've enjoyed working with the business.
"We're just part of the family here, opening up the
store," said Sale.
Driving Force rents, sells and leases vehicles. Born in
Saskatoon, founder, president and CEO Jeff Polovick calls
his story one of growth.
"(We) started from scratch, and in 30 years we're in 11
different locations and have a fleet of 7,000 vehicles,"
he said.
After moving several times in the 10 years the company
has been in Saskatoon, Polovick said he's happy to
finally see the business in a permanent location.