andy mac
07-22-2005, 06:40 PM
Gillett's husband visits injured Aussie cyclists
By Gennie Sheer
This report filed July 22, 2005
Simon Gillett has gone to the University Clinic in Jena, Germany, to visit five Australian cyclists injured in the tragic accident that claimed the life of his wife, 29-year-old Amy Gillett, on Tuesday.
Gillett died instantly when a teenage driver lost control of her vehicle, crossed to the other side of the road and plowed into the six-member Australian women's team, which was training for the Thuringen Rundfahrt, which was to start the next day. Gillett's funeral will be held July 29 in Ballarat.
South Australian Alexis Rhodes, 20, and Tasmanian Louise Yaxley, 23, remain in intensive care. Katie Brown, 21, Lorian Graham, 27, and Kate Nichols, 20, are all recovering well and are staying together in a private room. Gillett was taken into intensive care to see Rhodes and Yaxley and then spent some time with Brown, Nichols and Graham.
Brown, who has had surgery on both legs, will be issued a wheelchair Both Graham and Nichols have been up and around, and all the women are looking forward to welcoming their teammates into their ward as soon as possible.
Meanwhile, the organizers of the Thuringen Rundfahrt have annnounced that the riders and teams competing in the international women's tour will donate the entire prize pool of $23,000 to aid in the rehabilitation of the five injured cyclists.
Australian Formula One driver Mark Webber is expected to speak with Nichols, Graham and Brown by telephone from Hockenheim, where he is preparing for this weekend's German Grand Prix, and the leader of the local parliament is scheduled to visit the cyclists this afternoon.
Cycling Australia national performance director Shayne Bannan says everyone's morale is high and the atmosphere in Jena is very positive.
"Last night we had a big get-together with Simon, Warren (McDonald, the team's coach) and some of the Aussie women pro riders who are here, and for five or six hours we had a few laughs and took our minds off the grief," said Bannan. "It was a really good therapy session for everyone."
Back in Australia, the Ballarat Cycling Club planned a memorial ride for Amy Gillett on Saturday. The ride will depart from outside the Ballarat Town Hall, Sturt Street, at 7.30 a.m.
Cycling Australia has established an email link for people who wish to send condolence messages to the family of Amy Gillett or to pass on their thoughts and wishes to those injured. Go to www.cycling.org.au and follow the link on the home page. Messages can also be sent via the Australian Sports Commission website at www.ausport.gov.au.
By Gennie Sheer
This report filed July 22, 2005
Simon Gillett has gone to the University Clinic in Jena, Germany, to visit five Australian cyclists injured in the tragic accident that claimed the life of his wife, 29-year-old Amy Gillett, on Tuesday.
Gillett died instantly when a teenage driver lost control of her vehicle, crossed to the other side of the road and plowed into the six-member Australian women's team, which was training for the Thuringen Rundfahrt, which was to start the next day. Gillett's funeral will be held July 29 in Ballarat.
South Australian Alexis Rhodes, 20, and Tasmanian Louise Yaxley, 23, remain in intensive care. Katie Brown, 21, Lorian Graham, 27, and Kate Nichols, 20, are all recovering well and are staying together in a private room. Gillett was taken into intensive care to see Rhodes and Yaxley and then spent some time with Brown, Nichols and Graham.
Brown, who has had surgery on both legs, will be issued a wheelchair Both Graham and Nichols have been up and around, and all the women are looking forward to welcoming their teammates into their ward as soon as possible.
Meanwhile, the organizers of the Thuringen Rundfahrt have annnounced that the riders and teams competing in the international women's tour will donate the entire prize pool of $23,000 to aid in the rehabilitation of the five injured cyclists.
Australian Formula One driver Mark Webber is expected to speak with Nichols, Graham and Brown by telephone from Hockenheim, where he is preparing for this weekend's German Grand Prix, and the leader of the local parliament is scheduled to visit the cyclists this afternoon.
Cycling Australia national performance director Shayne Bannan says everyone's morale is high and the atmosphere in Jena is very positive.
"Last night we had a big get-together with Simon, Warren (McDonald, the team's coach) and some of the Aussie women pro riders who are here, and for five or six hours we had a few laughs and took our minds off the grief," said Bannan. "It was a really good therapy session for everyone."
Back in Australia, the Ballarat Cycling Club planned a memorial ride for Amy Gillett on Saturday. The ride will depart from outside the Ballarat Town Hall, Sturt Street, at 7.30 a.m.
Cycling Australia has established an email link for people who wish to send condolence messages to the family of Amy Gillett or to pass on their thoughts and wishes to those injured. Go to www.cycling.org.au and follow the link on the home page. Messages can also be sent via the Australian Sports Commission website at www.ausport.gov.au.