It’s been a long-time dream of SL Racing and our Ambassador Emma Twigg to race in one of our single sculls at the Olympics. So, once we got the green light, we knew we had to create something unique that not only held its own against competitors but also deliver a scull personalised down to fine margins. So, SLR designed a hull that would take on the world.
Over many months, SLR and Emma continuously tested and refined her boat, making incremental adjustments and design adaptations in the hope of getting her on the podium while producing a hull that she was 100% confident and comfortable in.
With the pressure to get competing sculls shipped to Europe in time for competition, safely and on time, we shipped two boats to be transported from London with plenty of allowance for any hold-ups. What no one could foresee was an accident, causing extensive hull damage when one of the boats was struck by a tyre. This put the pressure on to ensure the one remaining boat was kept in perfect condition to race in Paris.
Simon and Hamish were determined to be on the banks of the Vaires-sur-Marne Nautical Stadium, cheering on their close friend, SLR Ambassador and rowing legend. So, the brothers headed to France to support Emma and watch how their boat handled the competition.
It was a different Olympics for Emma. Tokyo was about getting on that podium after two close losses in London and Rio – and get on the podium she did, collecting gold for New Zealand. In comparison, France was about “putting it all out there” and enjoying every moment of where her 16-year rowing career journey had brought her to her final fifth Olympics.
It was also a never-to-be-repeated opportunity for Emma to race in a boat she had long hoped to, in front of millions of people, that she helped design, to show the world what she and SLR are capable of together.
“Racing an SLR at the Olympics was one of my proudest Olympic moments. It represented the culmination of years of hard work developing a world class boat, made in my home town by the best team. The attention to detail that we put into the development gave me the confidence that I was racing in a speed machine.” – Rowing Champion Emma Twigg
The buzz of being in Paris and watching Emma’s incredible performances across her heats to gain a place in the single-scull women’s final was unbeatable. The French sure know how to throw a party. The music was pumping, the audience vibe was uplifting and positive, and the environment was electric with excitement. You couldn’t have asked for more.
The significant achievement of two brothers from Hawke’s Bay having a boat in the finals for the first time at the Olympics wasn’t lost on us. And we felt incredibly proud of Emma and the SLR team for making it this far. We will all never forget the final race – Emma gave it all she had (and more), but there was just no catching the race favourite, Karolien Florijn (12 years Twiggs junior), who took gold with Emma taking silver, not far behind. It was a massive moment for all of us, and we couldn’t be more thrilled with the result. As Emma shared after the race, “I can be proud that I emptied the tank, and a silver medal is phenomenal.”
“Watching Emma race in Paris was an unforgettable experience and a significant milestone for SL Racing. Witnessing her achievement was a proud moment for me and Simon. Her silver medal on the world stage was inspiring and reinforced the hard work our teams put into building SL Racing.” – Hamish Lack, SL Racing
When Simon and Hamish weren’t on the banks supporting Emma, they got in a spot of sightseeing and caught the NZ Women’s Rugby 7’s final take gold at Stade de France. They also used a bit of Kiwi ingenuity post-races and put Emma’s boat in a roundabout in an area where many Olympic spectators gathered to eat and drink. It gained lots of attention, with many wanting to know more about the boat (and how they could get their hands on one).
It was amazing to be on the sidelines and watch an incredible athlete compete against the world’s best and win silver, and be in good company with New Zealand rowing collecting multiple medals, showing the world how it’s done. It has been an unforgettable journey, having SLR on the water at the Olympics and competing on the world stage against some of the most innovative vessels. Our goal is this is the first of many world events you’ll see us out on the water and first (or second) across the line.
