In the first World Cup of 2018 was presented the 2017 Filippi Spirit Award winner: Micheen Thornycroft from Zimbabwe.
The two-time Olympic rower for Zimbabwe is currently studying at Rhodes University in South Africa. She hopes to graduate in 2019 with a masters degree in human kinetics and ergonomics.
At the Rhodes University Rowing Club, Thornycroft coaches, mentors and inspires younger women. She has been involved in a number outreach projects including the RowZambezi project.
“It is incredible to win such an awesome award, as there are so many amazing people nominated for it every year - she said - I have always wanted to be able to give back to my University rowing club, as they gave me so much over the years, and so it is so exciting to be able to give them a brand new Filippi eight. It is more than I ever dreamed I’d be able to give."
This is the fifth year of the Award and the second edition with title sponsor, Filippi. Previous winners include James Cook (GBR) in 2013, Franz Gravenhorst (GER) in 2014, Kirsten van Fossen (USA) in 2015, and Nils Jakob Hoff (NOR) in 2016.
The winner’s university rowing club received a custom-built, top-of-the-range Filippi eight racing shell.
The boat recognises the winner’s involvement in the club and helps the club to develop more young rowers in the future.
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