Jamie Sale and David Pelletier

He and interim partner Caroline Roy hadn't performed well enough to make the Canadian senior team; after they finished a disappointing sixth in the 1998 nationals, "his coach, Richard Gautier, gave him two choices: quit or give Sale a second try," according to James Deacon in a Maclean's piece. "It wasn't much of a choice for either of them. Off the ice, he was serving beer at the Molson Centre in Montreal, while Sale was working as a waitress in Edmonton." The two engaged in one more tryout, during which Pelletier hoisted Sale in the air. She whispered to her coach, "Wow, I had no idea it was supposed to be like this!" A new partnership was born.

The debut of Sale and Pelletier took place at the 1998 Skate Canada finals. The pair won a bronze medal. Their skating would take a dramatic new turn with the addition of choreographer Lori Nichol, who created a routine from the theme to the movie Love Story. As they recreated the story of the ill-fated lovers, Sale and Pelletier began embarking on a love story of their own. Pelletier separated from his wife and the two skaters became a real-life couple, sharing a home in Edmonton, Alberta, while remaining protective of their privacy.

As Sale and Pelletier began to excel in elite competition—they were undefeated from 2000 to 2001 in international meets—their path led to the 2002 Olympic Winter Games. By the time they arrived in Salt Lake City, Utah, the two were considered "the It couple of figure skating," in the words of Time International reporter Mary Jollimore. "In a pursuit that rewards mirror imaging of every move," explained James Deacon of Maclean's, "they are uncanny mimics of one another, gliding seamlessly around the ice, totally in sync. And they skate with such evident passion—for the sport, for the music, for each other."

Having finished second after the Olympics short program, Sale and Pelletier prepared to "trot out their straight-to-the-tear-duct long program," as Sports Illustrated reporter Michael Farber put it. "They were born for Love Story: Sale, with gleaming black hair and ready smile, could pass for a young Ali McGraw, and Pelletier has the boyish looks and carefree ways that evoke Ryan O'Neal bounding across Harvard Yard." But no Olympic gold is ever assured, and for Sale and Pelletier the main threat came from the much-admired Russian pair, Yelena Berezhnaya and Anton Sikharulidze. Nor were the Canadians without their critics. "Their routine was one they had performed at competitions two years ago," remarked Time writer Richard Lacayo in a cover story. "As music they were using the theme from [Love Story]. Compared to the Russians' more nuanced classical choice,… it sounded a bit sappy and show biz."