Guest speaker Anna Meares, Northcliffe Surf Club Sportsman’s Luncheon

Olympic legend Anna Meares revealed her first harrowing thought as she lay two-millimetres from death. See the story

Cycling legend Anna Meares is a force to be reckoned with – the six-time Olympic medallist was guest speaker at Friday’s 39th annual Northcliffe Surf Club Sportsman’s Luncheon.

The only female in a crowd of 400 men revealed her first harrowing thought during her infamous horror 2008 track accident at the World Cup in Los Angeles.

Cycling at 65kmh the Olympian said: “There’s not much between skin and wooden board at those speeds.

nna Meares. Picture: Glenn Hampson

“My first thought that came to mind was, ‘s--t my mum’s not going to be happy,”

Regarded as one of the greatest track cyclists Australia has ever produced Meares told the crowd she heavily bruised her right hip, dislocated her right shoulder, tore a number of ligaments and tendons that attach her shoulder to her body, had skin abrasions/burns which was the result of skin sliding 100m across wood at 65kmh – taking two hours to scrub clean and remove all the splinters.

Adding: “And to top it off I broke my neck.”

She was just two millimetres from a clean break and from death, Meares said, adding she was instantly struck by fear.

“At 23 it was a very confronting piece of information to learn – the only options were quadriplegia or death had the two millimetres not been there,” she said.

“I learnt the difference between what if and what is – what is rational information.

“I went from fearing two millimetres to being thankful for two millimetres because it saved my life.”

Within 10 days Meares was back on the bike.

Appointed Australia’s 2024 Chef de Mission for Paris Olympics, Meares was joined by fellow guest speakers top horse trainer Tony Gollan, jockey Ryan Maloney and Australian comedian Vince Sorrenti as MC.

39th annual Northcliffe Surf Life saving club sportsman lunch. Dave O'Neill, Vince Sorrenti and Darren Carr. Picture: Glenn Hampson

Club president David Shields said the sellout had become “a bit of an animal.”

“We’ve created something special – we’ve had really incredible sports people talk over the years and it’s the comedy too people love – it’s relaxed and it’s raising money for Northcliffe Surf Club ”

Mr Sheilds said $80,000 was expected to be raised at this year’s fundraiser via raffles and auctions.

Originally published as Guest speaker Anna Meares, Northcliffe Surf Club Sportsman’s Luncheon