For the week of July 10 - 16, 2002

Salé, Pelletier are 
signed for July 27 
ice show

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The 2002 Sun Valley Ice Show has signed Canadian pairs skaters and Olympic gold medalists Jamie Salé and David Pelletier to perform in the July 27 show, ice show director Rainer Kolb said Saturday.

Russian Olympic gold medalists Yelena Berezhnaya and Anton Sikharulidze headlined two Independence Day holiday shows last week, and have agreed to perform in Saturday’s performance headlined by Olympic gold medalist Brian Boitano. Express photo by Willy Cook

Salé and Pelletier were the other half of the 2002 Salt Lake Winter Olympics’ most controversial split decision. Initially awarded the silver medal, the Canadians ended up sharing the gold with Russians Yelena Berezhnaya and Anton Sikharulidze.

Misconduct by a French skating judge in determining the pairs skating scores led to the compromise of awarding dual gold medals. The Olympic figure skating scandal prompted International Skating Union action to overhaul the judging system.

The signing of Salé and Pelletier means that the 2002 Sun Valley Ice Show will have both pairs involved in the controversy, a coup that spectators should enjoy, according to Kolb.

Headlining two Independence Day holiday shows was the Russian pair of Berezhnaya and Sikharulidze.

Their appearance was popular, and Kolb expects ticket sales to be brisk for the Salé and Pelletier show.

He added that two-time world champions Berezhnaya and Sikharulidze have agreed to perform in one additional show—this Saturday’s performance headlined by Olympic gold medalist Brian Boitano.

The Boitano show with Berezhnaya and Sikharulidze is being held simultaneously with the Herbert Allen media conference in Sun Valley, but the show is open to the public. Tickets are now on sale at the Sun Valley Sports Center, 622-2231.

 

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