Finalists Announced for 2003 FISA Awards

The recipients will receive their awards in Athens in November

The finalists for the four Annual FISA Awards have been reached after nominations from members of the FISA Council, Commissions and Staff, and then voting by the FISA Council.

Coach of the Year Award:

• Mike Spracklen (GBR) – Coach of the 2003 gold medal winning Canadian men's eight and the 2003 gold medal winning Canadian men's four;
• Giuseppe LaMura (ITA) – Technical Director of the Italian Rowing Federation since 1993 and coach of the famous Abbagnale brothers from 1980 to 1993;
• Bent Jensen (DEN) – Coach of the 2003 gold medal winning lightweight men's four.

Male Rower or Crew of the Year Award:

• James Tomkins & Drew Ginn (AUS) – M2- 2003 world champions;
• Elia Luini & Leonardo Pettinari (ITA) – LM2x 2003 world champions;
• Olaf Tufte (NOR)– M1x 2003 world champion.

Female Rower or Crew of the Year Award:

• Caroline Evers-Swindell & Georgina Evers-Swindell (NZL) – W2x 2003 world champions;
• Cath Bishop & Katherine Grainger (GBR) – W2- 2003 world champions;
• Kathrin Boron (GER) – W2x 2003 silver medallist

FISA Distinguished Service to Rowing Award:

• Thor Nilsen (NOR) Former chairman of the FISA competitive commission, master coach, and driving force behind the FISA development programme;
• Ingrid Dieterle (GER) Retiring chairman of the FISA Youth Commission and long time member of the FISA womens commission;
• Penny Chuter (GBR) member of the FISA Competitive Rowing Commission and former Technical Director of British International Rowing.

The final voting will be undertaken by the FISA Executive Committee and commissions specific to the award. The recipients will be announced on October 27^th and will receive their awards at the 2003 FISA Coaches Conference to be held in Athens, Greece from November 7 to 9.