Nominations open for 2016 Filippi Spirit Award

For immediate release
Lausanne, 12 September 2016

The World Rowing Federation, FISA, has opened the nomination process for the 2016 Filippi Spirit Award for university rowers who have demonstrated the core values of rowing in his/her social, academic and sporting life.

Formerly known as the Parmigiani Spirit Award, Filippi Boats has become the main sponsor in 2016. This marks the fourth year of the Award that looks to honour an individual who, through these core values of rowing, has inspired exceptional success in other people’s lives in education, business, sport or charity.

“Each year we open this nomination process and are astounded by the quality and calibre of the nominations we receive. It is a pleasure to reward these outstanding university athletes for their exceptional efforts,” says FISA President Jean-Christophe Rolland.

Filippi Boats is a rowing racing boat manufacturer based in Donorotico, Italy. Since 1980 Filippi has produced top Olympic-class rowing boats. They are renowned for design, top-quality materials and state-of-the-art technology combined with passion and core values that underpin their work.

The Filippi Spirit Award is open to current university students worldwide who study full time and row regularly for a university rowing club. The winner of the Award will be presented with a custom-made new Filippi racing eight boat for their rowing club. Filippi boats are made in Italy and used by medal-winning crews throughout the world.

For rowers in some countries (such as the United States where NCAA regulations apply), the awards will be adjusted to conform with national eligibility regulations. Each nomination must be made by two of the nominated rower’s teammates, supported by the rowing club and endorsed by the university. Only one member may be nominated by each club.

Full details and the nomination form are now available here. University rowing clubs have until 1 November 2016 to submit nominations.

Previous winners:
2013 James Cook
British student-athlete studying mechanical engineering at the University College of London, GBR.

2014 Franz Gravenhorst
German national team rower and PhD student at the Swiss Institute of Technology in Zurich, SUI.

2015 Kirsten Van Fossen
American PhD student studying engineering at the University of Cambridge, GBR.