So much has happened in Emma Twigg's life since she last rowed in Boston in 2019. She married. She and her wife Charlotte welcomed a son into their lives five months ago. And, after two frustrating fourth-place finishes at the London and Rio Olympics, she finally won Olympic gold in the single in Tokyo.
And while she'll come into the Head of the Charles championship singles race in pretty good racing form, having won silver in the World Championships last month, and gold in the single Coastal Rowing World Championships in Wales over the weekend, Twigg is looking at Boston this week as a family vacation.
"I've just loved the Head of the Charles, and I've tried to get to it as much as I can really, as long as my program allows it. And it really worked out well this year, all the races lined up really nicely," Twigg said. "I've always wanted to show my wife Boston; she hasn't been to the Charles before and that's just an experience that hopefully she'll enjoy, so that's all kind of the motivation for this year."
Twigg is still trying to get a handle on what her motivation might be for racing in a fifth Olympics in Paris in 2024.
"Tokyo was massive for me because I did achieve what I spent so many years trying to do, so from here on it's going to be about me enjoying what I'm doing," Twigg said. "So long as there's still enjoyment and I still think that I can be better and improving then I'll keep going. And I guess Paris is only 18 months away now, so it's actually a really short cycle to get through, but you never know, and I'm getting older. and you just don't know what's around the corner.
"I've got a five-month-old son, so he's kind of the priority at the moment. So long as I can keep that balance in life, and make sure that my wife and son are being looked after, then there's no reason why I wouldn't keep going," Twigg said.
Now 35, Twigg's love for rowing as a sport and a community is undimmed, and that's what keeps her returning to the rivers and beaches.
"It's something that I've just loved; I've been rowing for close to 20 years. So obviously I have a love and a passion for the sport. Races [like the Head of the Charles] are actually what's kept me going in the last few years because I have so much enjoyment in going internationally and meeting my friends and new people," Twigg said. "It's less about winning races and more about the friendships that you make along the way. And Boston has been a big piece of that puzzle for me, because whilst it's competitive, it's always a really social occasion as well."
This year, looking forward to Boston not only as a competitor but as a spectator as well, Twigg said she's most excited to watch two races in particular.
"I always love watching the collegiate eights races because it's such a big thing for them. And the championship eights as well because often the collegiate crews give the [national team crews] a real run for their money," Twigg said. "Champs singles is always interesting, but I also just love watching the masters, they just take it so seriously, and a lot of them are racing with the mirrors on their glasses and do a really great job of steering the course."
Twigg plans to "park herself at the Eliot Bridge to watch the carnage" once her race is done, and is eager to enjoy all of the different things the Regatta has to offer.
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