Randy and Shaun Murray on the dock in Orlando (Pic: Lloyd Murray).
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Throughout the next week, communication continued between the Murrays and the Petrus. Roma asked if Randy would be able to make it to the World Championships
the next week. Although they couldn't, Roma didn't lose hope. "I remember asking God for a small miracle in somehow getting Randy to be at the event."
It was only two days before Worlds when Shaun and his mom were discussing their disappointment in the fact that Randy would not be able to make it out to the tournament. Although she wasn't sure, Roma suggested that perhaps the family's finances were a little tight considering the circumstances. Shaun had an idea.
He hung up the phone and arranged for two plane tickets for Randy and his father. The good news was well received by the Petru family and Randy and his father quickly made arrangements for their trip. They flew out of Salt Lake City on the Friday evening before Worlds.
Shaun Murray had some people over at his house that night. Despite the fact that Shaun had guests and was going to be defending his World Title the next morning, he headed to the airport at 1:00 AM. He was there to pick up two people he had never met, yet he had opened his home to them for the weekend.
The next morning, Randy and his father started off the day watching Shaun, Darin Shapiro and Gerry Nunn do their warm up runs from the comfort of Gerry's brand new Malibu Wakesetter. Then Shaun, Shaun's parents, Randy and Randy's father headed over to the Orlando Watersports Complex, the site of the 1999 World Championships.
Randy riding high (Pic: Tim Petru).
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While at the competition, Randy had a blast. He collected hats, stickers, posters and other goodies from most of the event's sponsors. Randy made sure to get some to bring back home for his sisters. He also got to meet many of his heroes. Randy brought an autograph book and collected autographs and pictures with many of the pros.
"I saw Darin and Gerry Nunn. I also met Parks Bonifay, Brannan Johnson and Scott Byerly," an excited Randy remembered. "Tara kissed me and I got a picture!"
1998 World Champion, Tara Hamilton, recalled the encounter with Randy. "At first he was so shy he wouldn't talk. Then after a little bit he asked me to sign his book. I did and then gave him a kiss on the cheek. He smiled so big and then ran away!"
Randy with (left to right) Paul Murray, Shaun Murray and Parks Bonifay (Pic: Tim Petru).
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"He's just like any other little kid," observed Gerry 'the flying' Nunn, whom Randy affectionately refers to as Gerry, the flying stud. "He just loved being at the contest getting all the free posters, stickers and all the autographs. It was cool."
Gerry proved that Randy wasn't the only one who was inspired that weekend. "One of the neat things about having Randy around is that sometimes we get into such a mindset that wakeboarding is life and if I can't wakeboard then what good is life and all that stuff. But then you've got this little kid that is five-years-old, fighting cancer and it gets you thinking. If he sees me getting upset or frustrated while I ride just 'cause I can't hit a certain trick it's gonna effect him. It really puts things in perspective."
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