http://www.youtube.com/v/A7cbgf65rPY

The announcement was made in Sydney (Australia) at the first stage of the 2013 Samsung World Rowing Cup, the opening regatta of the international season.

The Parmigiani Spirit Award will be made to a university rower who has demonstrated the core values of rowing in his/her social, academic and sporting life, and, through these values, also enabled or inspired exceptional success in other people's lives – for example in education, business, sports or charity.

The Parmigiani 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 receive a hand-crafted Parmigiani Fleurier watch and the winner's club will be presented with a new racing eight boat.

Full details and the nomination form are now available at www.worldrowing.com/parmigiani-awards. University rowing clubs have until 30 June 2013 to submit nominations.

Each nomination must be made by three club members, supported by the club and endorsed by the university. Only one member may be nominated by each club.

"The Parmigiani Spirit Award recognises the achievements of the upcoming generation of rowers who demonstrate the core values of our sport," says Denis Oswald, FISA President. "It also awards the winner's club with a world class racing boat to enable the club to continue to develop and inspire its young rowers. We encourage university rowers worldwide to tell us of their good work."

"Parmigiani Fleurier is proud to support rowing and its exceptional spirit around the world," says Jean-Marc Jacot, CEO of Parmigiani Fleurier SA. "This partnership between a Haute Horology watchmaker and FISA is a unique way to reaffirm the values shared between us. Both of us are dedicated to a unique goal: reaching our personal objectives and breaking the limits with our partners."

Parmigiani Fleurier is a Swiss watchmaker of unique, hand-crafted timepieces. A common philosophy lies at the basis of the partnership between World Rowing and Parmigiani Fleurier which was forged in 2012. Precision, coordination and elegance are similar qualities that are needed both in the sport of rowing and in the craftsmanship of unique precision timepieces.

Visit www.worldrowing.com/parmigiani-awards for full details and access to the nominations form.