Photo Courtesy of Herb Gayle
Skating superstar Randy Plett was injured in a road race in Winnipeg on Thursday, May 28th. He is hospitalized in Winnipeg, awaiting surgery on Monday for a broken neck (C 6 & 7). Fortunately he is expected to make a full recovery.
His wife Lorraine says he is doing much better today, with his pain in better control. Though they’ll start all over with that on Monday after the surgery. After surgery comes the arduous road of rehabilitation. If Randy tackles rehab like he has his other sporting endeavors with his great attitude and spirit of competition, I’m sure he’ll do fine.
You may send cards and well wishes to:
20 Fernleaf Dr.
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
R2M 4R4
The accident occurred during a local road race. As the pack was rounding a corner to the finish line, Randy was hit a few times by a racer trying to pass on the left—when there was no room to do so. Randy was holding onto his position when he noticed his tire was punctured and realized he wouldn’t be able to make the turn. He yelled out he was heading for the grass. He hit the grass just so and was thrown from his bike and took the full impact of the crash on the top of his head. Lorraine said his clothes weren’t even dirty (other than sweat I’m sure)!
Randy and Lorraine’s three children are doing well considering. I imagine it is difficult for them to see their active father in the hospital. Lorraine still has her great sense of humor. When I first spoke with her she said, “that’s what happens when people branch out to new sports”.
Randy—we’re all praying for you to have a successful surgery and a speedy recovery!
Randy,
You are in my prayers.
Brian K. Williams
Our family is all pulling for you Randy and knowing your spirit you’ll be leading those packs again in the very near future. Cheers Alex, Paisley & the Perrie family
To Randy and his family:
Randy, while my family does not know your family personally, you are still FAMILY because of speed skating!!
Just know that you will be in our thoughts and prayers. And Lorraine… I LOVE your positive attitude!! A true supporter of the SUPER athlete! Please keep us notified of Randy’s progress.
God bless.
Pete & Linda Wood & family
(Josh Wood’s parents)
Sacramento, CA, USA
Get well soon – the peloton will not be the same until you get back!
Rollersports Canada has this posted today, June 2:
Winnipeg’s Randy Plett was recently injured in a mountain biking accident. He suffered a broken neck (C 6 & 7). Thankfully he is expected to make a full recovery.
He underwent surgery and is now in recovery.
Roller Sports Canada and the entire Canadian roller community would like to extend to Randy best wishes for a prompt recovery.
For those of you who don’t know him, Randy is not only a fantastic skater, he is one of the nicest, most generous, most helpful people you’ll ever meet! He’s always ready to lend someone a hand, whether it’s helpful advice, giving lap times in a race, or supplying the part to fix a broken skate.
Randy, you’re in all of our thoughts and I hope to see you out there on the ice next winter!!
Kaari
Randy and family,
Lorraine, I really admire you for your strength and positivity. I don’t know Randy well, but the few times I’ve met him he seems to have a great attitude and drive to succeed. No doubt the recovery time will go much more quickly because the strength you have together.
My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Best wishes,
Christina Larson
Randy and family,
I couldn’t agree more with Kaari’s comments! Randy is not only a wonderful person, but a tremendous ambassador to the sport. My thoughts and prayers are with you for a quick and complete recovery.
All the best,
Mike DeZellar
Randy, Lorraine and Family
Know that you are in my prayers. I was so shocked and sad to hear about your accident and then so full of joy to hear that you will have a full recovery!!!!! : ) My goal this year was to be able to skate to your level and chase you down at the finish line, ya right! Keep up your great spirit and Gods speed in your recovery!
Dave Geske
Randy, YOU HOSE HEAD!
Your story reminds me so much of my last race in that crash into the sidewalk and lawn of the capitol building in Harriburg, PA many years ago; surely you remember that day. That’s when I realized that I have to consider the priorities and responsibilities of life. For me the competive spirit, desire to win and prove my self was not lost, but just needed redirected to other parts of my life.
God knows the plans he has for you, and he will accomplish it; thank goodness when you landed head first, you heart and soul had already landed in the hand of God. We are so thankful that your condition affords a quick and strong natural or super natural recovery by God’s healing hand.
It’s been at least 10 years old friend and we will be making the trip from PA Dutch Country to visit in a few weeks.
I imagine your friends will now be asking you about your nickname, Hose Head; I think the idiot that sees a bike width gap between you and a sidewalk curb, and thinks you are going to move, might better have that name.
Keep the faith!
Tony Ice
Hi everyone:
I would like to thank ALL of you for your support, with many not posting comments here, but through e-mail etc.
I have been home for the past 4 days, with mostly muscle spasms to my upper back from the surgery. I now found out 3 vertebrae were broken…C6 and C7 as well as T1. I have Titanium rods and screws from C5-T2. They are expecting a full recovery within 6 months, but not sure when any training will start…likely not until the fall of this year.
I will come to a few races (hopefully Hayward, St. Paul and Duluth) to cheer my wife Lorraine on and take some pictures as well as to see many of you.
Good luck to all in Brainerd this weekend!@
Thanks again for your prayers and support.
Randy
Hi dad. How come you never write anything about me? I would really appreciate it. Oh ya dad, by the way you have to pay me when you are better because you know that i work my butt off just to help you. That’s right. get well soon daddy!!!!!
See you at lunch.
Hi Randy,
Deb and I noticed your friendly greeting and warm smile were missing at the Baxter event. We found out from Terry’s wife you had suffered a bad accident. Hopefully you will make a full and complete recovery and be back in action soon.
Though we are just the “common skaters” envying the skills of people like you, you have always been a gracious ambassador to the sport and just a nice guy.
Speedy recovery!
Blake & Deb Johnson, Corcoran, MN
Good to see you in action again, big guy. It was fun riding bike with you today. I believe I could have taken you if there had been a sprint! Your attitude since the accident has been nothing short of amazing and I wish you a complete recovery, coming back to compete in-line, speed skating (and maybe bike) in better shape than ever. XOXO Schnurr PS: don’t forget to take time for your wonderful wife and kids…
hi Randy,just found out about your accident.i wish you the best and a speedy recovery.want to see you skating soon.i know you will recover very quickly,you’re a very fit and top notch athlete.take care.
Randy: You’ve got lotsa’ speed Randy – I hope your recovery is as speedy as you. The only change with your skating will be that you’ll longer look back to see where the rest of us are! Take care.
Dave