Announcing the Keller medal finalists for 2011

21/03/2011 - 00:00:00

The most prestigious medal in rowing, the Thomas Keller Medal has been narrowed down to five finalists for 2011.

Following a public nomination system and then a vote by participants at FISA’s Joint Commission Meeting the five finalists are Vaclav Chalupa (Czech Republic), Caroline and Georgina Evers-Swindell (New Zealand), Jueri Jaanson (Estonia) and Pertti Karppinen (Finland).

The Thomas Keller Medal is the highest honour in rowing. It comes in the form of an 18-carat gold medal and usually only one medal per year is awarded. The award has been around since 1990 and it honours the best in the sport, recognizing not only those who have reached the top, but also, and more importantly, those who have shown exemplary sportsmanship and a legendary aspect throughout their career and otherwise.

The winner is decided by the Thomas Keller medal committee members chaired by Dominik Keller, son of FISA’s former president, Thomi Keller, after whom the medal is named. The members of the committee are FISA executive director, Matt Smith, FISA council members John Boultbee and Tricia Smith, Honorary council member, Thor Nilsen and Olympic champion and rowing expert Martin Cross.

The award will be presented at the final Samsung World Rowing Cup in July in Lucerne, Switzerland. Keller’s son, Dominik Keller will present the award.

The winner of the Thomas Keller Medal receives a lifetime accreditation to all FISA World Rowing Championships as well as the 18-carat gold medal.

Last year’s recipient of the Thomas Keller Medal was Australia’s James Tomkins.
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    Eric Verdonk

    2011-07-10

    My very personnal congratulations to Jueri Jaanson. We raced in the Copenhagen final in 1987 together. I remember Peter-Michael Kolbe gave this young sculler, Jueri his spare boat to use as his Soviet equipment was so worn and spongy that it was not even close to suitable. The riggers were flapping in the breeze so to speak. Jueri always had a smile and was a magnificent competitor. He led the race start to finish in one of the finest sculling displays of all time in Tasmania. Only once, at the 1992 Olympics do I recall Jueri's hearing impediment being a complication at the start of a race. Jueri had a great attitude. If ever I get the chance to go to Estonia it would become a priority to visit. Again from myself, and no doubt many other fellow competitors our sincerest congratulations to Jueri for the Thomas Keller Award.

    Kindest Regards

    Eric Verdonk

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