She’s riding high on daredevil factor
On her bike, surrounded by metal and hurtling at 80km/h between her brothers Brandon and Hugo, is where Geraldine Fernandez feels the most powerful.
The trio are masters of the popular globe of death act, reaching dizzying speeds in the 4m wide cage. And Geraldine is the only woman in Australia to have conquered the feat.
The siblings, who were born in Guadalajara, Mexico,will spend the next two years travelling with Circus Royale, which is in Rockingham on its 45th anniversary tour from December 28-January 8. Circus Royale owner Damian Syred said he had searched Europe to bring the best international acts to Australian shores.
“Obviously other shows have a globe so we picked this family because they have a female rider,” he said.
Eldest brother, 25-year-old Hugo, began riding when he was 13, with Brandon, 22, and Geraldine, 16, following close behind.
“The hardest part is when we’re riding and something happens like a flat tyre — it’s hard because we have to be quick,” Hugo said.
The trio trained for two years together in the globe before their act was ready. They have been performing it for the past six years, saying they love the adrenaline and the reaction from the crowd.
“At the start there were so many mistakes but no major injuries luckily,” Geraldine said.
“My favourite part is the reaction when I take my helmet off and they realise I’m a girl.”
Mr Syred said it was a new show with more international acts.
“We pick unique acts so people want to come back,” he said.
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