World Rowing announces 2007 award winners

The International Rowing Federation, FISA, announced the recipients of the 2007 World Rowing Awards over the weekend. At a gala dinner as part of the annual coaches conference in Budapest (HUN) the Coach of the Year, Female Crew of the Year, Male Crew of the Year and Distinguished Services to Rowing award were presented.

2007 World Rowing Coach of the Year
Paul Thompson
Originally from Australia, Thompson is currently the chief coach in Great Britain for the women and lightweight squads. His coaching achievements include taking the British women’s quad to three consecutive World Championship titles.

2007 World Rowing Male Crew of the Year
Australia's men's pair: Drew Ginn and Duncan Free
The Australian duo have won back to back World Championship titles in the very competitive men’s pair event. Prior to that Ginn was part of the Olympic gold medal pair with former partner, James Tomkins. Free comes from a background of successful sculling.

2007 World Rowing Female Crew of the Year
Great Britain’s women’s quad: Annie Vernon, Debbie Flood, Frances Houghton and Katherine Grainger
The British quad own a World Champion hat trick for 2005, 2006 and 2007. They are considered to be Great Britain’s female flagship crew and hopes for a Beijing Olympic gold medal are pinned firmly on them.

2007 World Rowing Distinguished Service to International Rowing
Michel Doutre
From France, Doutre has been a FISA Umpiring Commission member for 15 years (1992 – 2007) and is also development consultant for French-speaking Africa. Doutre has traveled tirelessly throughout Africa to promote and encourage rowing.

The World Rowing awards winners are chosen based on nominations submitted to the FISA Executive Committee by FISA commission members, council members and staff.