Photographys GUILLAUME PERRET + MERIJN SOETERS
Emma Twigg – current world champion in the women’s single scull – has a rational and objective claim to be considered the fastest woman in the world. Yet she will not be racing at this year’s World Championships and Olympic Qualification Regatta in Aiguebelette. Not because of injury or illness or poor early season performances, but rather because her national federation, Rowing New Zealand, will not allow her the flexibility to compete whilst she studies for the FIFA Master’s degree in Europe. “Life’s boring if you don’t have challenges and hurdles to overcome,” Twigg says pragmatically. “I’m pretty good at creating them for myself to be fair”.