Friday 5 August 2016
geelongindy.com.au
5249 6700 indy@geelongindy.com.au
Granny saddling up to ride in Rio Oldest Aussie in fifth games By LUKE VOOGT Geelong and the Bellarine Peninsula will field seven athletes at the Rio 2016 Olympics, beginning tomorrow (Saturday). Three will make their Olympic debut but Drysdale grandmother and equestrian champion Mary Hanna - the Australian team’s oldest member - will compete in her fifth games. The 61-year-old will be the equal-second Olympian to reach the five-games milestone. Hanna and horse Boogie Woogie were in fantastic spirits, she told the Indy over the phone from Rio. “It’s very exciting when you’ve got the right horses and everything falls into place,” she said. “The stables are brilliant and the transport systems here are great.” Hannah said she was already planning ahead for Tokyo 2020. “It (Rio) isn’t the end of my goals. “(Boogie Woogie) shouldn’t get to his peak until Tokyo and then I’ve got another young one up and coming.” Hanna will become Australia’s oldest ever Olympic equestrian, eclipsing Bill Roycroft’s record. She will be 125 days older than Roycroft was when he represented Australia at the 1976 Olympics. “I try not to think about the age so much,” she said. “I focus on my sport and staying fit and healthy so I can do it as long as possible.” Drysdale will also watch the progress of high jumper Joel Baden, who grew up in the town. The 20-year-old will make his Olympic debut after clearing the automatic qualifying height of 2.29m in Cairns on 26 June. Perseverance paid off for Baden, who had jumps of 2.25m and 2.24m this year but failed to clear 2.29m until days before the end of qualifying. Continued page 4
Rocker Ross returning for gig PAGE 17
Eze does it for Warriors INDY SPORT
Australia’s oldest Olympian at Rio Mary Hanna 157634
Arrive in Style 6995
•Weddings •Formals •Tours
•Skis •Snowboards •Clothing •Hire&Sales
• Blinds • Curtains 1182643-LB18-15
EVERY SUNDAY IN 2016
1228806-RC21-16
1229365-ACM21-16
BOOK NOW FOR AN EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT
PLANTATION SHUTTERS
Geelong & Surfcoast Limousines
*$ our 5 sta r bus dep arts
Myles away in Pineapple car PAGE 9
6 & 10 Seater Limousines
OPEN Mon-Fri 9am-5pm Sat 9am-12pm
ph 5223 2143 384 PAKINGTON ST (RIVER END)
Phone: 5244 0111 Mobile: 0424 660 207 Shop 1 / 147 Marshalltown Road, Grovedale
CHECK OUT OZEXTREME WEBSITE FOR SNOW REPORTS www.ozextreme.com.au
Phone: 5277
3393 0477 663 314
www.geelongandsurfcoastlimousines.com.au