How long have you been professionally skiing ?

15 years.

Who got you started in to the sport of water skiing ?

My mum and dad.

Any rules you would like to change in our sport ?

No rules, just a tighter regulation on changes to boats and cruise control systems.

Are you a lefty or righty, and which one has the advantage ?

Lefty- We have a huge advantage, if you are a righty I would change
immediately :)

You were away from professional tournaments for a couple of years, what happened ?

I tore my ACL jumping and took the opportunity to have a baby. At the start of last year I hurt my knee again so that put me back a little.

You won Moomba this year, how did that feel, since it has been awhile since you had a win ?

It’s funny I had a terrible prep, I was injured and changed skis 5 days before hand so it was great to win. I was actually skiing much better last year but couldn’t get a win.

You have been known as a jumper, what happened, and will you ever come back ?

My knee feels really good but at my age I don’t need the impacts anymore. I have always been an aggressive skier and I won’t jump unless I am giving it everything.

What drives you to keep skiing at the top level on the weekends ?

There is a little unfinished business I guess. The slalom record being #1.

Favorite tournament, why ?

Has to be Moomba. If you are a ski fan do yourself a favor and come on down.

What do you do off the water ?

Training wise is really gym work both cardio and weights. I have worked with a personal trainer for the last 4 years who has been fantastic, he comes out and watches me ski and really knows what I need.

Do you get nervous for pro tournaments, and if so how do you handle your nerves ?

Everyone gets nervous. What is important is to use them positively and don’t let them distract you from the positive thoughts that you need to have on the dock.

Any superstitions ?

None.

Who do you train with and who drives the boat ?

My husband Rick and daughter Marley and my brother Curtis.

What is your brother doing these days ?

Curtis is doing really well. He would love to still be in the sport but as a heavy jumper he could no longer compete with the lighter guys.

What ski are you riding, and are there any secret set-ups ?

At the moment I am riding the O’Brien SS with a Fisher fin. There are a couple of different things we have done to it.

Out of all the titles you have won, which was the most important ?

Being called Muma!

On the water I have to say both slalom world titles were very special in their own way. The 1st in Italy was fantastic because I was last off the dock and my good friend Kristy was leading. I had to run a PB and new world championship record to win.

The second was great at Swiss because of all the dramas and the stoppages during my set. Running the 38 tail wind and getting 31/2@39 for the win was rewarding. Most people don’t know but I had hurt a rib about a week before so I couldn’t even try any 38’s before the event.

Is it harder now that you are just a slalom skier vs. going to tournaments in two events ?

It is financially. I think to start with it was mentally as well because I think as a single event you can get a bit worked up for your 1 turn on the water. I see that with some of the guys.

Name a pro and con of being a pro water skier ?

Being part of a great family sport and seeing the World. A con would be the lack of leadership and direction from pro skiers as a group.

How do you like the new cruise controls ?

I have been using Star Gazer for a couple of weeks and it is great. It is smooth and I think it is better then classic in the pull out for the gates. I have skied a fair bit behind Zero Off last year and I have to say it was not good enough at 34mph. It affects my aggressive style of skiing and I have lost a pass behind it. I know they have made some big changes and I look forward to trying it when I get to Orlando. If it has not improved I won’t be in the sport much longer. In general there needs to be a lot more testing before any new system is used at the elite level.

Are you excited about the MasterCraft Pro slalom tournaments ?

I love the concept of pro am style events and am looking forward to the events. We will be traveling to each event in an RV for about 6 weeks so it will be an adventure. My big concern though is the speed control issue.

Do you like the head-to-head format or would you prefer the regular way of QF, SF and then the finals ?

I prefer the regular finals. But in saying that, I don’t mind doing the head to head a couple of times a year.

Is there anything you want to do in your career that hasn’t been done yet ?

The only thing that has eluded me is the slalom record. I just need to work on getting my equipment right and my body as strong as possible and give myself some chances at great sites.

What are your goals for 2008 ?

I want to get my equipment right and do everything I can with my training to take my slalom to a new level. It is important to keep improving.

How long will you professionally water ski ?

That really depends on whether I am competitive behind Zero Off this year. I hope to do another couple of years.

Tell me one thing that nobody knows about Emma ?

That I used to own a very slow race horse :)

What do you think you will be doing after your water skiing career ?

I am planning a five star water ski resort.

IPublic lakes or private lakes ?

Our sport needs both, the more the better.

Music on your iPod ?

Sugarland, Keith Urban, Brad Paisley.

Give us a funny fan story ?

I have a great fan who lives in Alabama. His name is Igor and I met him a few years ago. Igor is a former college basketball player who came from Serbia to play in the States. At about 7 foot he takes up some space on the water. Igor epitomizes what is great about our sport, someone who found our sport late in life and is not ideally built to ski but just loves it.