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Giampaolo Sesto, a Role Model For All Nevadans
By Bob Babbitt |
 “It isn't often that many of us have the time to decide to get out on our bikes and ride all day as if we were children. However, for one Henderson man, that is just the case. Giampaolo Sesto has been an athlete much of his life: a semi-professional soccer player, black belt in Karate and more recently triathlete. But, on a clear day, at the Utah Summer Games, 41 year-old Las Vegan, Giampaolo Sesto, would be dealt an unpredictable hand he'd never suspect he'd have to play.
While competing in the USG Triathlon, Giampaolo was nearly killed in a tragic, high-speed cycling accident. "I was in the lead at the Utah Summer Games Triathlon when it happened," states Giampaolo. "One minute I'm racing and the next minute, I'm waking up back in Las Vegas."
On what was supposed to be a glorious day, Giampaolo felt the rewards of dedicating to several months of his life to an intense training schedule. His mind and body working together as one, seeming weightless as he raced the challenging course at speeds exceeding 50 miles per hour. It appeared as though Giampaolo was poised for a fantastic race finish.
However, it was not to be. As the course led downhill, speeds continued to accelerate. Giampaolo approached a turn just as another cyclist lost control of his bike. In a split second silence blanketed the course. Giampaolo could feel his heart racing as he saw the rider veering towards him. He understood what was to happen next and braced himself for what was going to be a head-on collision.
As he returned to consciousness, Giampaolo came to realize the crash was much worse than he had expected. The impact of his body meeting the ground and his competitor's bicycle, resulted in a collapsed lung, 9 fractured ribs and multiple collarbone fractures with severed tendons.
Surrounded by spectators in what seemed an eternity, Giampaolo patiently waited for Medics to arrive. As they assessed the situation they realized Giampaolo was in grave danger. In addition to his injuries, he was bleeding internally. Flight For Life was immediately brought to the scene and Giampaolo was airlifted from St. George, Utah to UMC Trauma where he remained for eight days. Four days in the ICU and four additional days in regular care.
The recovery process has been a long one for Giampaolo. He was unable to work for five and half months as a result of the accident and during that time attended Physical Therapy regularly. Although he's returned to work at Alex's Restaurant in the Wynn, Giampaolo still feels the effects of the accident. "I would say I'm still recovering today and the accident happened last June. It takes a long time for the body to heal itself, but being so well conditioned prior to the accident, certainly has given recovery a very different meaning to me. It now seems as though the conditioning was preventive medicine."
However, what's truly amazing about this incident is not the accident itself, but Giampaolo's ability to see the accident as an opportunity. In the midst of tragedy, Giampaolo and his family carried hope. A hope that something great would come of all of this pain. And it looks as though it finally has.
Giampaolo has chosen to give triathlon another chance. In speaking to Giampaolo, you can see and feel the optimism in his eyes and voice. The message: don't expect to see me waiting on the sidelines for life to pass me by. The accident may have slowed me down a bit, but couldn't possibly keep me down.
Giampaolo's back riding his bicycle, running and swimming in preparation for his next endeavor: the Nevada Silverman Iron Distance Triathlon taking place November 13th, 2005. The Silverman consists of a 112-mile bike ride, 26.2 mile run and a 2.4-mile swim. "When I heard of the Nevada Silverman being an Iron Distance Triathlon, I knew this was just the excuse I was looking for to make my return, " states Sesto.
As Sesto begins his intense training schedule again with the love and support of his family, we will anxiously await his return to greatness.
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